Richard Serrell co-founded the Oakland group 415 in the late '80s, whose 1989 album 41Fivin sold well enough locally to spin off his own 1990 solo debut. A cocaine possession charge right as a major-label deal with Priority was coming together cost him a year in prison, but he came back rapping on records with 2Pac and the Luniz, then became the first Bay Area rapper to sign with Def Jam in 1995. Snoop Dogg has credited Richie Rich's flow as a direct influence on his own style.
