Rich Boy

This article is about the rapper. For his self-titled album, see Rich Boy (album). For the song by Galantis, see Rich Boy (song).
Rich Boy
Birth nameMarece Benjamin Richards
Born (1983-09-02) September 2, 1983 (age 41)
Mobile, Alabama, U.S.
Genres
Occupations
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
  • record producer
Years active2003–present
Labels
Producer(s)Polow da Don
Websiterichboyonline.com (Inactive)

Marece Benjamin Richards[1] (born September 2, 1983),[2] better known by his stage name Rich Boy, is an American rapper from Mobile, Alabama. He is best known for his 2006 single "Throw Some D's" (featuring Polow da Don), which peaked at number six on the Billboard Hot 100. It served as lead single for his eponymous debut studio album (2007), which was released in March of the following year by Polow da Don's Zone 4, an imprint Interscope Records.

A commercial success, the album peaked at number three on the Billboard 200, although critical reception was mixed to average. His 2009 follow-up single, "Drop" (featuring Polow da Don) became popular through remixes and freestyles by then-upcoming Internet rappers, including Childish Gambino, Kid Cudi, and Earl Sweatshirt. His subsequent releases have failed to yield any further commercial response.

Early life and education

Richards is from Alabama.[3] He was studying mechanical engineering at Tuskegee University, but he dropped out to concentrate on pursuing a rap career.

Career

Rich Boy signed a contract with Zone 4 through Interscope Records and started to work on his debut album.[4] In the meantime, he appeared on one of Ludacris' Disturbing tha Peace compilations and on a few mixtapes, such as Comeback Season by Canadian rapper Drake and Da Bottom, Vol. 5 by DJ Ideal and Jermaine Dupri.

On March 13, 2007, Rich Boy released his self-titled debut album, with the singles "Throw Some D's," "Boy Looka Here," "Good Things", and "Let's Get This Paper". "Throw Some D's" reached #6 on the Billboard Hot 100, #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, and #2 on the Hot Rap Tracks chart. "Boy Looka Here" and "Good Things" both peaked around #50 on the R&B chart.[5] In 2009 he released a single, "Top of the World", which was part of the album Music Inspired by More Than a Game.

Rich Boy's second album was intended in 2010 to be titled Resurrected in Diamonds and was slated for a 2013 release.[6] The intended first single released off the album was "Drop" which had been released in the beginning of early 2009. Another track "She Luvs Me (She Luvs Mi Knot)" featuring Polow da Don was released on June 21, 2010. Both Dr. Dre and Polow da Don were confirmed contributors or producers for the album.[6]

On March 18, 2013, Rich Boy released the mixtape Back to Class in promotion of his second studio album, Break the Pot.[7] On January 14, 2013, the title track was released as a single in promotion of the album, featuring Hemi.[8] On February 25, 2013, it was announced that Break the Pot would be released on April 9, 2013, and would feature guest appearances from Maino, Mista Raja, Bobby V, Doe B, Playboi Lo and Smash.[9] On March 17, the music video for "Break the Pot" premiered on MTV Jams.[10] Break the Pot was released on April 9, 2013, and included the single "Pimp On", which featured Doe B, Playboi Lo and Smash.[11][12]

Discography

Studio albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
Title Album details Peak chart positions
US
[13] 		US
R&B
/HH
[14] 		US
Rap
[15]
Rich Boy 3 3 1
Break the Pot
  • Released: April 9, 2013
  • Label: E1, Vice
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 — 39 27
Featuring
  • Released: August 7, 2015
  • Label: RBC Records, E1
  • Format: CD, LP, digital download
 — — —

Mixtapes

Year Mixtape
2006 Bring It to the Block
  • Released: 2006
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope/ Aphilliates
  • Hosted by DJ Drama
2008 Bigger Than the Mayor
  • Released: 2008
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope
2009 Pacc Man
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope
Kool-Aid, Kush & Convertibles
  • Released: 2009
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope
  • Hosted By DJ Scream
2011 12 Diamonds
  • Released: 2011
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope
Gold Kilo$
  • Released: May 12, 2011
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope
2013 Back to Class
  • Released: March 18, 2013
  • Label: Zone 4/ Interscope

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name
Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
US
[16] 		US
R&B
/HH
[17] 		US
Rap
[18] 		FIN
[19]
"Throw Some D's"
(featuring Polow da Don) 		2006 6 3 2 9 Rich Boy
"Boy Looka Here" 2007 116 53 — —
"Good Things"
(featuring Polow da Don & Keri Hilson) 		— 54 — —
"Drop"
(featuring Polow da Don) 		2009 — 85 — — Non-album single
"Break the Pot"[21]
(featuring Hemi) 		2013 — — — — Break the Pot
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart.

Awards and nominations

BET Hip Hop Awards

  • 2007: Rookie Of the Year [win]

References

  1. ^ "ACE Repertory: 371531316 "Good Things"". ASCAP.com. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  2. ^ "Rich Boy Discography". Discogs.com.
  3. ^ Jeanin, Sha'Linda (March 27, 2013). "Rich Boy Explains Reclaiming His Creative Control On 'Break The Pot'". Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  4. ^ Kellman, Andy (2007). "Rich Boy: Biography". Allmusic. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  5. ^ "Rich Boy: Charts & Awards: Billboard Singles". Allmusic. Retrieved January 22, 2010.
  6. ^ a b Cooper, Roman (August 1, 2010). "Dr. Dre To Produce On Rich Boy's Album". hiphopdx.com. Retrieved January 6, 2020.
  7. ^ "New Mixtape: Rich Boy Back To Class". Rap Radar. March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  8. ^ "iTunes - Music - Break the Pot (feat. Hemi) - Single by Rich Boy". Itunes.apple.com. January 14, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  9. ^ "Rich Boy Announces "Break The Pot" Album Release Date". Xclusives Zone. February 25, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Break The Pot | Rich Boy | Music Video". MTV. March 17, 2013. Archived from the original on March 19, 2013. Retrieved March 22, 2013.
  11. ^ "Break the Pot by Rich Boy". 9 April 2013 – via music.apple.com.
  12. ^ Smith, Trevor (2013-04-03). "Rich Boy - Pimp On Feat. Doe B, Playboi Lo & Smash". hotnewhiphop.com. Retrieved 2020-01-06.
  13. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: Billboard 200". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  14. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  15. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: Rap Albums". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  16. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: Hot 100". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  17. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  18. ^ "Rich Boy Album & Song Chart History: Rap Songs". Billboard. Prometheus Global Media. Retrieved April 6, 2012.
  19. ^ "Rich Boy feat. Polow Da Don: Throw Some D's". Musiikkituottajat. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  20. ^ "Gold & Platinum: Rich Boy". Recording Industry Association of America.
  21. ^ "Break the Pot (feat. Hemi) - Single by Rich Boy". 14 January 2013 – via music.apple.com.