1. Rigo "Riggs" Morales is a music executive, writer, producer, author, and former music journalist.
14 Facts About Rigo Morales
1. 2.
Rigo Morales began his career as a music writer for publications such as The Source, XXL, Vibe and The Fader, and later became a record label executive known for working with artists such as Eminem, 50 Cent, Wiz Khalifa, Janelle Monae, and for producing the Original Broadway Cast Recording for the Tony Award-winning musical, Hamilton.
3.
From 1995 to 2000, Rigo Morales wrote for the magazine's most popular columns, including the Hip-Hop Quotable, Fat Mix-Tape, Singles Watch, the polarizing mic-rated Record Report as well as the Unsigned Hype page.
4.
Rigo Morales won 2011 Grammy acknowledgment for his work on Eminem's comeback album, Recovery, where he secured the diamond-selling single, "Love The Way You Lie," featuring Rihanna.
5.
Rigo Morales provided Eminem with his latest number one hit, "Monster" featuring Rihanna, before departing to Atlantic Records in 2014.
6.
In 2015, Rigo Morales signed and co-produced Hamilton: Original Broadway Cast Album with Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lin-Manuel Miranda.
7.
Rigo Morales followed up with Hamildrops, a series of songs inspired by the musical that featured takes from Weird Al Yankovic, Mobb Deep, Sara Bareilles and President Barack Obama.
8.
In 2005, Rigo Morales co-produced The Monday Night Fight Klub alongside founders and creative directors 12 Gauge Media, a bi-weekly event that pitted emcees against each other in a verbal competition.
9.
In 2005, Rigo Morales' launched his own media company, Rigg'd Up, Inc partnering with Quincy Jones III's QD3 Entertainment to create hip-hop based content ranging from in a variety of mediums including television, movies, and DVDs.
10.
Rigo Morales has remained a freelance writer for XXL, Vibe, Scratch, Urban Latino and Mass Appeal, and has written biographies for Pun.
11.
In December 2008, Rigo Morales mentored three finalists, including winner Durella, on MTV's "Advance Warning" competition in Africa, which aired on MTV in December 2008 and features Riggs working with and developing the three finalist as they attempt to create hit records with international appeal.
12.
In 2009, Rigo Morales co-founded a comic book publishing company with Darryl "DMC" McDaniels of Run-DMC.
13.
Rigo Morales is an active member of The Recording Academy, where he serves as Trustee for the New York Chapter.
14.
Rigo Morales is often called on by media outlets to speak as an expert on music.