Loud Records

Loud is a hip hop label that released material by acts such as Wu-Tang Clan, Big Pun, Mobb Deep, Krayzie Bone, The Beatnuts, M.O.P., Tha Alkaholiks, Pete Rock, Lil' Flip, Three 6 Mafia, Project Pat, Xzibit, Twista, Dead Prez, The Dwellas, and The X-Ecutioners. The label also released thrash metal band Megadeth's deluxe and remastered debut album Killing Is My Business... And Business Is Good! in 2002.

History[edit]

The label was originally distributed by Zoo.


In 1997, the label signed rapper Big Pun. His debut album, Capital Punishment was released through Loud in April 1998 to critical acclaim and commercial success. The album featured fellow Loud label-mates Inspectah Deck and Prodigy. Peaking in the top 5 on the Billboard 200, the album was certified Platinum by the RIAA for selling over a million units in America, making Big Pun the first solo Latin artist to go Platinum.


In 1999, Loud switched distributors from RCA Records to Columbia Records. As a result of the switch, Mobb Deep's fourth studio album, Murda Muzik was delayed and heavily bootlegged in the process. Despite its bootlegging, the album was a critical and commercial success upon release in 1999. Murda Muzik debuted and peaked within the top 3 on the Billboard 200, and was certified Platinum in America.


On February 7, 2000, rapper Big Pun died of a heart attack. At the time of his death, he was working on his second and final studio album. That album, Yeeeah Baby, debuted and peaked in the top 3 on the Billboard 200, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It also featured Big Pun's protege and Loud label-mate Remy Ma.


In June 2007, Sony Music resurrected the label, after which Rifkind would buy it back, making it a subsidiary of SRC.^[1] His 1st act after re-gaining the label was, as he did 15 years earlier, signing the Wu-Tang Clan.^[1]


On July 29, 2012, Steve Rifkind announced that he was leaving Universal on September 1, 2012.^[2]


On October 6, 2017, after the 2017 BET Hip Hop Awards cipher with 6lack, Tee Grizzley, Little Simz, Mysonne and Axel Leon went live, Axel Leon said that he had made a deal with Rifkind via Instagram. Making Axel Leon the first person to be signed to Loud after Rifkind left Universal.^[3]


In 2020, Loud Records announced a re-launch of the label to be fully independent, giving clients the ability to own their masters.^[4][5] The re-launch included changing the name from Loud Records to Loud Music Group.^[6] The new label roster includes Rifkind's son, Ryrif.