Rich Pangillinan is a jack-of-all-trades in the dance scene. Known as the Riddler on WKTU (one of the nation's largestdance music stations) and as half of the up-and-coming remix team Al B Rich.
RS: Where did you get your start?
Riddler: I got my start while living in Texas. Started out as a mobile dj working my way up to clubs and then to radio.
RS: And what brought you to New York?
Riddler: In the fall of 1995, Tommy Boy Records offered me a job to do National Club & Mixshow promotions. A few months later, my old PD and MD at KRBE in Houston (Poleman and Bryant) became the PD and MD at Z100 then asked me to mix for them in New York.
RS: As a promoter you came up with a lot of unique ways to sell records--one of them being the Jock Jam Megamix, how did you come up with this idea?
Riddler: While working at Tommy Boy, I was involved with the Jock Jams CD Series. I came up with the idea to put together a Megamix to help promote the series to radio and sports stadiums. I commissioned DJ Bobby D from WBBM in Chicago to produce the Jock Jam Megamix. After several weeks of going back and forth in the studio, Bobby D and I came up with the final megamix which became a sports stadium and mobile DJ classic. The single itself almost went gold and was one of my proudest moments and contributions to the music industry.
RS: While working for MCA you were responsible for crossing Mary J Blige into the dance clubs--was this always part of the plan? Where did the idea for her remix album come from?
Riddler: Well I can't take total credit for Mary's success because there were many people before me that brought her into the dance clubs. Also, MJB has always been a supporter of dance music. The idea for the remix album came while sitting in Mark Davenport's office. Mark, who does International and Dance A&R at MCA, and I were going over the various dance remixes that we had for Mary. We thought this would be a great dance compilation. Mark ran the idea directly to Jay Boberg (President), Gary Ashley (Head of A&R), Don Pooh (MJB's A&R), and to Mary J. Blige herself. They all loved the idea and decided to make it strictly a dance compilation.
RS: In addition to your remixing/radio mixhows, you also do compilations with various record labels. Do you think differently when putting together compilations for these other projects?
Riddler: The philosophy is still the same when putting any compilation together. You have to try and predict which records will be big by the time your CD will be in stores. Licensing the tracks is the hardest part because some songs just won't be available. It's kind of like putting together a Fantasy Sports team. You try and put together the best product on the field and hope that it can compete with the rest.
RS: What was your first compilation? What was it like - the first time you saw your CD in a store?
Riddler: My very FIRST compilation was MTV The Grind. My first compilation as The Riddler was Club Series Vol. 4 on SHR/UC Music. The first time I saw my CD and even now, I still get goosebumps when I see it.
RS: You have several compilations in stores right now - how are they different?
Riddler: Dance Mix NYC series on Tommy Boy Entertainment is obviously targeted more towards my home base of New York as it is a close reflection of what I play on my mixshow at WKTU. Club Nation America Vol. 2 on Ministry of Sound has a more National appeal and has a balance of popular dance records like Daniel Bedingfield, Mary J. Blige, DJ Sammy, mixed in with some more credible dance records.
RS: What compilations are coming next?
Riddler: Dance Mix NYC Vol. 4 will be the next CD coming out in the 4th quarter of 2004.
