THE USP TEAM

In 1980, Joe Nicolo created Studio 4, a recording facility in Philadelphia. It was during this time that he earned the nickname “The Butcher” for his skillfulness at being able to piece together and mix tracks. Local artists who recorded their albums at Studio 4 with Joe include Boyz II Men and DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince (Will Smith). Joe’s success with these artists led to him becoming staff producer for Columbia Records. During this 10-year tenure at Columbia, he worked with some of the most successful recording artists in the industry, including The Rolling Stones, Will Smith, Aerosmith and Bob Dylan. Joe won 9 Grammys for his work on James Taylor’s Hourglass, Jazzy Jeff, The Fugees, and Lauryn Hill. He was also nominated for a Grammy for his production of Billy Joel’s album, River of Dreams. While at Columbia Records, Joe started his own label: Ruffhouse Records. At Ruffhouse, Joe was responsible for signing and producing Kriss Kross, Cypress Hill, the Fugees, Wyclef Jean and Lauryn Hill. 

It was under Joe’s guidance that Ruffhouse album sales surpassed 100 million worldwide. In 2002, Joe joined forces with Merv Griffin and RKO Pictures as Executive Producer of the film Shade – a movie best described as a cross between The Sting and Pulp Fiction. The movie stars Jamie Foxx, Gabriel Byrne, Thandie Newton, Sylvester Stallone and Melanie Griffith. Joe also served as music supervisor on the film and continues to oversee the music on several other RKO films. In April 2003, Joe Nicolo was honored by the Philadelphia Chapter of The Recording Academy (The GRAMMYS) by receiving The Heroes Award as recognition of his outstanding work and contributions to the U.S. music industry on both a national and local level. In 2004, Joe entered into a production and distribution deal with Light-year/Warner Bros. 

Joe also produced several new movie releases: Return to Sleep Away Camp, Let The Game Begin starring Adam Rodriguez, and Just Add Water with Justin Long, Danny DeVito, and Jonah Hill. In 2006, Joe got back into the music business with his son Tyler and Tyler’s partner, Cole Thomas, with Revel Music Group. There, Joe co-produced Brandon Hines for LA Reid and Epic Records. It was a joint venture with Jermaine Dupri .For the past several years, Joe has been working out of his garage studio (aptly called JOE’S GARAGE) and his new Blacbird/Universal imprint. 

He has been enjoying working with numerous local groups, which include: GOOCH AND THE MOTION ,ST JAMES & THE APOSTLES, CHRIS PATERNO, BRIAN FITZY, TODD PRITCHARD, KAT PACE, ANNABELLE KEMPH, AND THE SATELITTE HEARTS. In 2017 Joe was inducted into the PHILLY WALK OF FAME. Joe has teamed up with Philly’s TONY LUKE JR.   To from The opioid crisis network. “ we want to change the way the world looks at addiction”. We’re doing it with music. Joe plans on rolling out The Blacbird Music Festival in the fall of 2020 to benefit opioid abuse.