Ruffhouse Records

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Ruffhouse Records is a record label founded in 1989 by Chris Schwartz and Joe Nicolo as a joint venture with Columbia Records. In 1999, Schwartz and Nicolo stopped the label. Schwartz and Kevon Glickman continued with RuffNation Records; Nicolo continued with Judgement Records. Nicolo has since produced several movies before returning to the music business with REVEL MUSIC GROUP. Long before Hollywood called, Joe Nicolo always aspired to a career in the music industry.^{[citation needed]} Shortly after graduating University he created Studio 4 in Philadelphia and it was here that he honed his skills in recording, mixing, and producing. It was during this time that he earned the nickname "The Butcher" for his skillfulness at being able to piece together and mix tracks. A few local artists that recorded their early albums at Studio 4 with Joe include Boyz II Men and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince.

It was for Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince album He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper that Joe won his first Grammy. Nicolo refused to pick up the Grammy in protest of the fact that the NARAS would not acknowledge a rap group in the televised broadcast.

It was his success with these artists that resulted in Joe becoming staff producer for Columbia Records and during this ten-year tenure that he worked with some of the most successful recording artists in the industry such as The Rolling Stones, Will Smith, Aerosmith, Cindy Lauper, Urge Overkill, and Bob Dylan. Joe won a Grammy for his work on James Taylor's “Hourglass” in 1999. He was also nominated for a Grammy for his production of Billy Joel's album River of Dreams.

During his thirteen years as president and co-owner of RuffHouse Records he was responsible for signing and producing Kriss Kross, Cypress Hill, the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. It was under Nicolo's guidance that RuffHouse album sales surpassed 100 million worldwide.^{[citation needed]}

Having won nine Grammys, in April 2003 Joe Nicolo was honored by the Philadelphia Chapter of NARAS by being awarded the Philadelphia Heroes Award as recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to the U.S. music industry on both a national and local level. Joe new music venture REVEL includes his son Tyler Nicolo (head of Production) and Cole Thomas (CFO). Cypress Hill, The Goats, Kool Keith, Schoolly D, Kris Kross and the controversial Tim Dog brought the first hits. The Fugees and solo members Pras, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill took the label to a higher level.

See also

• List of record labels
• [1](List of Ruffhouse Records recordings referencing artists above)

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Artist- Lauryn Hill, Fugees, Kriss Kross