RiFF RAFF

Horst Christian Simco, known professionally as RiFF RAFF, was born on January 29, 1982, in Houston, Texas. His early life involved a familial move to Duluth, Minnesota, and a brief enrollment at Hibbing Community College, where he played basketball before returning to Houston. Simco began his musical journey in 2005 by distributing homemade CDs of his raps in the Greater Houston Area. He leveraged social media platforms such as MySpace, YouTube, and WorldStarHipHop beginning in late 2008, releasing freestyle videos and sketch clips that garnered attention for his distinct style and ad-libs. An appearance on MTV’s reality show “From G’s to Gents” in 2009 further propelled his visibility, leading to a collaboration with Simon Rex and Andy Milonakis in the rap group Three Loco. These early efforts laid the groundwork for his professional music career and broader entertainment ventures.

In 2011, RiFF RAFF began professional management under OG Ron C, a co-founder of Swishahouse, and relocated to Los Angeles. During this period, he released several music videos, including “Jose Canseco” and “Marc Jacobs,” which further increased his internet presence. He briefly signed with Soulja Boy’s S.O.D. Money Gang Inc. in mid-2011. Following this, he engaged with producers like Diplo and Harry Fraud, and collaborated with rapper Action Bronson, notably on the track “Bird on a Wire,” which achieved significant online viewership. In June 2012, RiFF RAFF officially signed with Diplo’s Mad Decent label, releasing his independent album “The Golden Alien” in July and the mixtape “Birth of an Icon” in August of the same year. His debut studio album, “Neon Icon,” released in 2014 under Mad Decent, featured collaborations with artists such as Mac Miller, Childish Gambino, and Paul Wall, and charted on the Billboard 200.

RiFF RAFF continued to expand his musical output and brand presence in the following years. He released his second studio album, “Peach Panther,” in 2016, which also appeared on the Billboard 200. This period saw him secure a significant US$4 million partnership with Stampede Management and BMG in April 2016 for his Neon Nation Corporation, designed to encompass music, film, and talent development. Subsequent projects included the Halloween mixtape “BALLOWEEN” (2016), “Aquaberry Aquarius” (2017), and “The White West” (2017). His discography has continued with albums such as “Cool Blue Jewels” (2018), “Pink Python” (2019), and “Cranberry Vampire” (2019). Beyond music, RiFF RAFF has participated in television, including MTV’s “The Challenge: Champs vs. Stars” in 2017, and has engaged in brand partnerships, including developing marijuana strains with Reef Dispensaries and collaborating with Daily High Club.