Rifkind exits Universal

RIFKIND MAKES UNEXPECTED EXIT: Steve Rifkind is leaving SRC Records/Universal as of Sept. 1, the bible reports. Rifkind confirmed the news in an email to Billboard.biz, saying that he "will say something in a few weeks but yes I'm leaving had a great run at Universal wish everybody the best." The news broke yesterday after Rifkind tweeted the following: "All great things come to a end. Yes it's true I'm leaving SRC Universal as of Sept 1. Want to thank all the artist 4 a great run" A subsequent tweet read, "I appreciate all the support I will stay in Music just give me a few weeks to spend time with my family thanks." An unconfirmed report on XXLmag.com cited an anonymous source who claimed Rifkind is "taking SRC Records off of Universal." Rifkind told us both Melanie Fiona and Asher Roth will stay with him wherever he ends up, while David Banner and Akon will remain on Republic. Rifkind and SRC signed a three-year deal with Universal in January 2011. Rifkind started SRC (short for Street Records Corporation), which was originally distributed by Universal Motown, in 2002, the same year Sony shuttered Loud Records, the label he founded in 1992. (7/31a)