Award Winning Recording Artist – Producer – Filmmaker – DJ

In the year 2000, Illinois-born Recording Artist & Producer, Rip, created his Independent Record Label, RiP Records, while still in high school. Rip started DJ’ing at an early age, and his love for music soon turned into a passion for producing and recording.   He also had a savvy knowledge for the direction of the music industry and was awarded a platinum plaque in 2003 from the Atlantic Records & the RIAA, for his online promotional and marketing skills for one of their artists.  After a full decade of releasing his own label compilations, duo albums, mixtapes and performing at shows across the Midwest, Rip relocated from the Chicagoland area to Madison, WI and finally released his debut solo album “Fashionably Late” in June 2010. The album carried the lead radio single “Watchin Me” which garnered some radio airplay nationwide. Pete Jones, of All Access Media Group – an industry radio trade site – said, “This is a catchy record. It sounds like Top-40 radio.”  It was featured on the site as “Hot New Music” in both the Top-40 and Rhythmic platforms.  Dubbed “driven, ambitious, hardworking, grassroots and savvy” by hometown radio program director, Erik Bradley, at WBBM-FM Chicago, Rip has graced stages all across the region – most notably at his hometown radio station’s B96 Summerbash in Chicago, at the Taste of Madison, at Dane County Fair and at the World Famous Brat Fest in Madison, WI.

In October of 2012, Rip digitally released his sophomore effort, “Sellout,” through Island Def Jam  – the same label that boasts artists such as Janet Jackson, Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Kanye West and Katy Perry, to name a few.  The lead single, “Kissin In The Dark,” was a collaborative effort with country singer Augie Zibell of the acclaimed band Madison County, from Madison, WI. “The album is a plethora of sounds. It’s just influenced by good music, whether old or new, but more than anything…just Pop culture and music” explains Rip, who is also a working DJ in Madison, WI.  Both albums feature production by Rip himself and certified Platinum producer DJ Pain 1 who has produced the likes of Public Enemy, Ludacris, Young Jeezy, 50 Cent, Juicy J, and many more.

In November 2013, Rip took home 5 Madison Hip-Hip Awards out of the 8 for which he was nominated, including ‘Artist of the Year.’ Two of the awards for which he was nominated went to DJ Pain 1, who coincidentally produced half of Rip’s “Sellout” album.  Still, that night Rip was nominated for and won more awards in one night than any other artist in the history of the Madison Hip-Hop Awards.

On November 26, 2013, Rip released a full-length feature film/documentary, “The Making of a Sellout,” on DVD and included a re-release of his sophomore album, “Sellout,” with two new bonus tracks. It takes a deep, dark, vulnerable look into his personal and professional life from birth to current day. GetYourBuzzUp.com calls it “a poignant on-screen work of art that is reminiscent of an impactful ‘Behind the Music’ special that is not only worth the watch for the story, but the mistakes and successes of its main character can serve as blueprints to aspiring artists everywhere.”

In 2016, Rip entered the studio to start work on his third studio effort, “Trinity,” which is completely different from any of his past projects.   After coming to terms with and facing an addiction he’s had for more than half his life, Rip’s personal and professional career turned to focus more on Christ.  “I reached a point in life where I was on my floor in tears saying ‘I can’t do this anymore.’”  The new album takes a dark look at his struggles, addictions, and demons that he’s had to face his whole life, most of with which he’s just started coming to terms.  The album is a tribute to his personal savior, Jesus Christ (The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirt), and brings hope to others by letting them know that it’s ok to be broken and imperfect, our God loves us all the same.  “Trinity,” Rip’s third studio album, which features Katie Scullin, A.N.T., and Sincere, was released May 19, 2017. Later that year it was entered on the ballot for the 60th Annual Grammy Awards. “Trinity” was considered for Best Contemporary Christian Album, and three songs from the album were also each considered for Best Contemporary Christian Single.

www.whoisrip.com