After a proposed $500,000 deal fell apart, Steve Rifkind found an unexpected opportunity with New Edition. On Going Public with Ross Mandell, the Loud Records founder shares the setbacks, relationships, and music marketing instincts that shaped his career in the music business.
From his family’s Spring Records to managing New Edition, Steve explains how he built connections through college campuses, radio stations, record stores, and street marketing. He recalls promoting Fatback Band’s “I Found Lovin’” and discusses why listening to your audience matters. The conversation also touches on Loud Records and Wu-Tang Clan, with practical lessons in branding, word-of-mouth marketing, and recognizing talent.
For entrepreneurs, independent artists, and business owners, this episode explores recovering from failed deals, building valuable relationships, and trusting your judgment. Steve also shares his perspective on artists building independently in today’s music industry. Subscribe to Going Public with Ross Mandell for more conversations about entrepreneurship, investing, and building a business.
About Ross Mandell: Ross Mandell is a former Wall Street professional, entrepreneur, author, and capital formation expert. On Going Public with Ross Mandell, Ross interviews athletes, entrepreneurs, investors, doctors, creators, and high performers about success, failure, reinvention, money, health, business, and what it takes to rebuild after adversity.
This content is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial or investment advice.
⏱️ Chapters 00:00 Steve Rifkind Interview With Ross Mandell 04:53 Spring Records & Steve Rifkind’s Music Industry Roots 09:09 Surviving a Heart Attack at 51 15:06 Growing Up With Dyslexia & Facing School Bullies 18:25 Breaking Into the Music Industry at 18 22:58 Street Marketing: Building a Music Industry Network 25:37 Promoting Records in New York’s Nightclubs 28:48 Finding Hit Songs Through Audience Feedback 30:20 Fatback Band’s “I Found Lovin’” & Radio Promotion 32:53 A Rap Cartoon & a $500K Music Deal 35:33 Why Steve Rifkind’s $500K Deal Fell Apart 37:03 How Steve Rifkind Began Managing New Edition 41:45 Loud Records, Wu-Tang Clan & Fat Joe 45:18 Independent Artists: Building Without a Record Label 46:39 Discovering Music Talent & Understanding Your Audience
Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Podden och tillhörande omslagsbild på den här sidan tillhör
Ross Mandell. Innehållet i podden är skapat av Ross Mandell och inte av,
eller tillsammans med, Poddtoppen.
