Art Rupe, a music executive, popularly known for launching the careers of several famed musicians like Little Richard, has passed away at the age of 104.
His foundation confirmed the news on Sunday, but his cause of death remains a mystery.
Born Arthur Goldberg in Pittsburgh in 1971, the record producer's music industry career started after working at a shipbuilding company during World War II.
According to The Wrap, Rupe started a record label called Specialty Records in 1945. His company featured Black gospel and R&B artists like the Soul Stirrers, Roy Milton, Sam Cooke, and more.
Art Rupe's Biggest Artist Under His Record Company
In 1955, he received a demo tape from Richard Penniman. Little did he know, it was one of his biggest signings ever as the singer later became the iconic Little Richard.
The singer repeatedly called Rupe's record company, asking if they had listened to the tape.
In a previous interview ahead of his Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, the executive said "there was something in Little Richard's voice" that he liked.
Although he couldn't explain or pinpoint it, Rupe said he wanted to give him a "chance" as his songs were exaggerated and "so emotional."
Little Richard's career eventually took off after the executive arranged a recording session and heard him sing the iconic "Tutti Frutti."
The official version was different from the demo as the newer one had sanitized lyrics.
The track managed to hit the pop charts in the United States and Great Britain, leading it to earn the title of one of the first big hits in rock history.
Little Richard and Rupe spent the next two years working under Specialty Records. The former later released another chart-topping hit titled "Long Tall Sally."
Why Did Art Rupe, Little Richard's Relationship End
The pair's professional relationship didn't last long as they had an issue with the executive's royalties and more. The outlet noted that Rupe reportedly used exploitative contracts, particularly among Black artists.
According to an authorized biography titled "The Life and Times of Little Richard," the singer revealed that his signed contract with Rupe only gave him half-cent royalty per record sold.
Per The Guardian, Little Richard sued them over claims of unpaid royalties. He was only sued for $11,000 at the time.
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