Richie Rich

Biography

Richard Serrell (born June 25, 1967), professionally known as Richie Rich, is an American rapper.

Early years (1987–1999)

In Oakland, Rich joined the group 415 in the late 1980s, collaborating with members D-Loc, DJ Daryl, and JED to craft an album in 1989 called 41Fivin. Rich released a solo album in 1990, titled Don't Do It.
His rapping style had an influence on Snoop Dogg, and the group 415 inspired the name of the group 213.
A cocaine possession conviction in 1990 put Rich in jail. 415 continued without him but did not flourish. Rich was released after a year and rapped on tracks by 2Pac and the Luniz. Rich soon found himself being in the middle of a bidding war between Def Jam Records and Relativity Records. He chose to go on Russell Simmons' label Def Jam. Before forming his own label, Oakland Hills 41510, he released his second solo album in 1996, Half Thang, which peaked on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums at number 57.
By 1995, Rich had become the first Bay Area rapper to sign with New York's Def Jam Records, and his major-label album, Seasoned Veteran, was released in late 1996 Seasoned Veteran did rather well on the charts, and music videos were soon released for three songs on the album. Just as Rich's career was booming, a merger at Def Jam (with PolyGram) left him without much direction. Rich was going to release a second album on Def Jam, although it kept getting pushed back. He soon had the decision to stay or go, he decided to go.

Ten-Six Record years (1999–2004)

Rich then started his own label with partner Lev Berlak, named Ten-Six Records. Four years after Seasoned Veteran, his fourth album The Game was released. The album has sold over 300,000 units independently but was panned by critics and fans alike.

Recent events (2021–present)

In 2021, Rich's 1996 song "Let's Ride" was featured in the television series Blindspotting.

Studio albums

Don't Do It (1990)
Half Thang (1996)
Seasoned Veteran (1996)
The Game (2000)
Nixon Pryor Roundtree (2002)
Fed Case (2017)
Richard (2025)
Richard (Deluxe) (2025)

Collaboration albums

41Fivin with 415 (1989)
The Grow Room with The Mekanix (2020)
The Grow Room (Instrumentals) with The Mekanix (2025)

Compilation albums

Greatest Hits (2000)
Grabs, Snatches, & Takes (2004)

Mixtapes

Town Bidness (2010)
Town Bidness (Volume 2) (2011)