Episode 249: Mike Heron

Show/Hide Search

Mike “Heron” Herard is a record exec, producer, manager, label owner, and all-around music business legend. He first came to the attention of underground hip-hop fans when he was the co-founder of Hydra Records, which released music by Screwball, Godfather Don, and many others. He then moved over to Rawkus Records, where he played a key role in Big L’s posthumous album The Big Picture. He has also managed Joell Ortiz, and is currently the Vice President of A&R at Shady Records. In addition, he runs the company BeatHustle, a firm that manages composers who compose music specifically for rap producers to sample.

Tracks featured in this episode:

1. Kid ‘N Play, “Rollin’ With Kid ‘N Play”
2. The Beatnuts, “Rik’s Joint”
3. Jean Grae f/Block McCloud, “Style Wars”
4. Eric B. & Rakim, “Paid In Full”
5. Rosie and the Fellas, “Pop Shop”
6. Robbie Rivera “Feel This (Robbie Rivera Original Mix)”
7. Screwball, “H-O-S-T-Y-L-E”
8. Screwball, “H-O-S-T-Y-L-E”
9. Sybil, “Let It Rain”
10. B-Real & La Bruja, “Fuego”
11. Screwball, “Who Shot Rudy”
12. Cocoa Brovaz, “Bucktown USA”
13. Godfather Don, “Stuck Off the Realness”
14. Big L, “Flamboyant”
15. Big L, “Ebonics (Criminal Slang)”
16. Kool G Rap, “The Streets”
17. Kool G Rap-Bout That feat. Ma Barker (Original Version)
18. Kool G Rap, “My Life”
19. Big L f/Fat Joe, O.C., & Remy Ma, “Triboro”
20. Jo-Ell Quickman, “How They Do”
21. Joe Budden f/Joell Ortiz, Nino Bless, Crooked I, Royce da 5’9”, “Slaughterhouse”
22. Slaughterhouse, “Hammer Dance”
23. Eminem, “The Way I Am”
24. B.o.B. f/Lauriana Mae, “Chandelier”
25. Eminem f/Rihanna, “The Monster”

Show notes:

1. New York Daily News, “Sour Notes for Rudy Rappers Spinning Disks of Dis”
2. Red Bull Music Academy Daily, “Kool G Rap’s The Giancana Story: An Oral History”
3. Complex, “The Musicians Behind Your Favorite Songs Are Coming for Their Credit”