Rifkind was born in 1972 and grew up in Merrick, Long Island. His father, Jules, was the founder of Spring Records. Young Steve worked for his father before relocating to LA to manage R&B group New Edition from 1986-1988. He founded Loud Records in 1991, and quickly became hip-hop's tastemaker. He was influential in launching the careers of the likes of the WU-Tang Clan and Three 6 Mafia. He's become known for promoting "street-style" hip-hop, and once told thesource.com that, "Nobody should put out a record before they know what the street thinks."

XXL magazine called him the person responsible for "breaking in some of hip=hop's biggest artists in his 25 years in the business." Although Loud is now owned by Universal Records, Rifkind's still at it today, standing behind performers like David Banner and Akon.

He also helped found Camp Excel, a week-long sleepaway camp for lower-class kids with learning disabilities, and since 2008 has thrown "Think Pink Rocks" concerts, the proceeds of which go to breast cancer charities.

[Image via Getty]