Delicious Vinyl

The independently owned label Delicious Vinyl was founded in 1987 by LA nightclub DJ’s, Matt Dike and Mike Ross. In its first year of operation the label’s first signee was Crip rapper named Tone Loc with the release of his first hit, “Wild Thing” checking in at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and selling more than two million copies in 1989. That same year, the label followed up with Loc’s No. 3 charted second hit, “Funky Cold Medina.” More hits followed: Young Mc’s “Bust A Move” the track sold more than a million copies and snagged a Grammy award for Best Rap Performance in 1990. Young MC became the first solo rapper to win. Steve Rifkind, CEO of Loud Records was a keyplayer in Delicious Vinyl first run of success offering his services in video promotion. He was instrumental in the label’s rising success and popularity.

With the label’s moderate rise came with a life of seclusion for the co-founder Matt Dike. He withdrew himself slowly and quietly, Delicious Vinyl continued to grow and expand its musical roster signing Hip-Hop/R&B acts like The Pharcyde, Hobo Junction, Brand New Heavies and Masta Ace. Eventually partnering up with Capitol Records to properly market and promote their artists. Severing their ties with former distributor Red Ant Entertainment.