History of Riff Raff (rapper) in Timeline
Horst Christian Simco, better known as Riff Raff, is a rapper hailing from Katy, Texas. He gained initial management by OG Ron C of Swishahouse in 2011. After a brief period with Soulja Boy's label, he signed with Diplo's Mad Decent, releasing his debut album, Neon Icon, in 2014. While the album didn't achieve significant critical or commercial success, it charted on the Billboard 200, as did his subsequent album, Peach Panther (2016). Riff Raff also entered a substantial partnership with Stampede Management and BMG for his Neon Nation label, though this deal later dissolved due to legal issues related to the film Spring Breakers.
January 29, 1982: Riff Raff's Birth
On January 29, 1982, Horst Christian Simco, known professionally as Riff Raff, was born in Katy, Texas.
2001: Enrolls at Hibbing Community College
In 2001, Riff Raff enrolled at Hibbing Community College in Hibbing, Minnesota, playing basketball and majoring in liberal arts.
2003: Drops out of College
In 2003, Riff Raff dropped out of Hibbing Community College and moved back to Houston, where he started building his new identity.
2005: Starts rapping
In 2005, Riff Raff started rapping and distributed homemade CDs at malls in the Greater Houston Area.
2008: Social Media Presence
In late 2008, Riff Raff used Myspace, YouTube, and WorldStarHipHop to release songs and videos, showcasing his talent.
2009: Auditioning for "From G's to Gents"
In 2009, Riff Raff acquired tattoos of the logos for WorldStarHipHop, NBA, and MTV during auditions for the reality TV show "From G's to Gents".
2009: Appearance on From G's to Gents
In early 2009, Riff Raff appeared on MTV's From G's to Gents, gaining recognition for his style and ad-libs, which boosted his career.
2011: Managed by OG Ron C and signs with S.O.D. Money Gang Inc.
In 2011, Riff Raff was managed by OG Ron C and later signed to Soulja Boy's label, S.O.D. Money Gang Inc.
2011: Managed by OG Ron C and signs with Soulja Boy's label
In 2011, Riff Raff was managed by OG Ron C and signed with Soulja Boy's record label, Stacks on Deck Entertainment.
February 15, 2012: Contacted about Spring Breakers
On February 15, 2012, Riff Raff was contacted by film director Harmony Korine about appearing in the movie Spring Breakers.
April 2012: Collaboration Album Announcement
In April 2012, Riff Raff announced a collaborative album with Diplo, titled Jody Highroller, featuring various guest artists.
June 2012: Releases .Summer of Surf Mixtape and signs with Mad Decent
In June 2012, Riff Raff released the .Summer of Surf mixtape and signed with Diplo's label, Mad Decent.
2012: Joint Partnership and Legal Disputes
In 2012, Riff Raff entered a US$4 million joint partnership for his Neon Nation label, which later fell apart due to legal disputes with the film Spring Breakers.
2012: "Bird on a Wire" success
In 2012, Riff Raff's music video for "Bird on a Wire" with Harry Fraud and Action Bronson gained popularity, being listed as one of the best songs of the year by Complex Music.
February 2013: Neon Icon Album Update
In February 2013, Riff Raff shared that his upcoming Mad Decent album would be titled Riff Raff, The Neon Icon, and set for release in the third quarter of 2013.
June 25, 2013: "Dolce & Gabbana" Release
On June 25, 2013, Riff Raff released the single "Dolce & Gabbana", produced by DJ Carnage, as the first single from Neon Icon, though it was later excluded from the album.
July 12, 2013: "Mr. Popular" Release
On July 12, 2013, Riff Raff released another non-album single titled "Mr. Popular", followed by its music video four days later.
July 2013: Announced Lawsuit Against Spring Breakers
In July 2013, Riff Raff announced he was suing the creators of Spring Breakers for $10 million for using his image without permission.
August 11, 2013: Arrested in Greensboro, NC
On August 11, 2013, Riff Raff was arrested in Greensboro, North Carolina, after police found an open container of alcohol, marijuana, another unspecified illegal substance, and drug paraphernalia in his vehicle. He was booked into jail and released without bail later that night.
August 2013: Galaxy Gladiators Announcement
In August 2013, Riff Raff announced a collaboration album with Action Bronson titled Galaxy Gladiators, planned for release in 2014.
September 2013: No Court Documents Found
In September 2013, a search for court documents by LA Weekly found no evidence of Riff Raff's announced lawsuit against Spring Breakers.
November 26, 2013: "How To Be the Man" Release
On November 26, 2013, Riff Raff released "How To Be the Man", produced by DJ Mustard, as the first official single for Neon Icon.
2013: Melbourne show and alleged drugging
In 2013, after a show in Melbourne, Riff Raff was accused of drugging and raping a woman, which later came to light on May 31, 2018.
March 2014: Neon Icon Listed as "Must-Hear Album"
In March 2014, Rolling Stone included Neon Icon on their list of "27 Must-Hear Albums of 2014".
May 20, 2014: Neon Icon Release Date Announcement
On May 20, 2014, Riff Raff announced that Neon Icon was scheduled for a June 24, 2014, release date and revealed the track listing.
June 24, 2014: Neon Icon Release
On May 20, 2014, Riff Raff announced that Neon Icon was scheduled to be released on June 24, 2014.
2014: Release of Neon Icon
In 2014, Riff Raff released his debut studio album, Neon Icon, under Diplo's record label, Mad Decent.
2014: Incident at Nevada brothel leading to lawsuit
In 2014, Riff Raff was involved in an incident at a Nevada brothel, which led to a sexual assault claim and a subsequent lawsuit that was settled on January 22, 2020.
2014: Galaxy Gladiators Planned Release
In August 2013, Riff Raff announced that his collaboration album Galaxy Gladiators, would be released sometime in 2014.
June 1, 2015: Peach Panther Announcement
On June 1, 2015, Riff Raff announced his intention to release his second studio album Peach Panther.
November 2015: Trench Coat Towers EP Release
In November 2015, Riff Raff released an EP entitled Trench Coat Towers.
2015: Vans Warped Tour
During the 2015 Vans Warped Tour, Riff Raff hired We Came As Romans' bassist Andy Glass to perform with him.
April 2016: Partnership with Stampede Management and BMG
In April 2016, Riff Raff announced a partnership with Stampede Management and BMG for his Neon Nation Corporation.
June 24, 2016: Peach Panther Album Release
On June 24, 2016, Riff Raff eventually released his second studio album, Peach Panther.
2016: Release of Peach Panther
In 2016, Riff Raff released his second album, Peach Panther, through Warner Records.
2016: Reunion with Three Loco
In 2016, Riff Raff reunited with the hip hop group Three Loco for his Balloween Halloween mixtape, performing "Bitches in my Driveway".
January 30, 2017: Aquaberry Aquarius Release
On January 30, 2017, Riff Raff released Aquaberry Aquarius with DJ Afterthought, featuring Wiz Khalifa and Lisa Cimorelli, among others.
August 4, 2017: "The White West" Release
On August 4, 2017, Riff Raff released "The White West" with DJ Afterthought, featuring upcoming artists like Dice SoHo and Jimmy Wopo.
November 21, 2017: Competed on The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars
On November 21, 2017, Riff Raff competed on a special for the MTV reality series The Challenge, titled Champs vs. Stars.
2017: Partnership with Reef Dispensaries and Daily High Club
In 2017, Riff Raff partnered with Reef Dispensaries to develop marijuana strains and with Daily High Club for a smoking supply box.
February 9, 2018: Cool Blue Jewels Release
On February 9, 2018, Riff Raff and DJ Afterthought released the album Cool Blue Jewels, featuring Wiz Khalifa, Chevy Woods, and others.
February 2018: Signs with Beartrap Sound
In February 2018, Riff Raff signed with Blackbear's Beartrap Sound for a reported US$500,000.
May 31, 2018: Accusations of drugging and raping a woman
On May 31, 2018, Riff Raff was accused of drugging and raping a woman after a 2013 show in Melbourne, leading to the cancellation of his Australian and New Zealand tour.
November 9, 2018: Tangerine Tiger Mixtape Release
On November 9, 2018, Riff Raff released a mixtape titled Tangerine Tiger, with guest appearances from Z-Ro, Lil Tracy, and others.
April 12, 2019: Pink Python Album Release
On April 12, 2019, Riff Raff released his third studio album titled Pink Python, with guest appearances from Chief Keef, J-Dawg, and Killah Priest.
October 25, 2019: Cranberry Vampire Album Release
On October 25, 2019, Riff Raff released his fourth studio album titled Cranberry Vampire, with appearances from Simon Rex, Andy Milonakis, Chief Keef, and others.
January 22, 2020: Settlement of a lawsuit related to a sexual assault claim
On January 22, 2020, Riff Raff settled a lawsuit related to a sexual assault claim made against him from a 2014 incident at a Nevada brothel.
