Throughout 2001 and all of 2002, President and Executive Producer, Michael Alvarez and a team of producers wrote and recorded albums for J-Me and AJ. During the recording process, Ripe Records began to develop its own in-house studio, which is now a world-class facility. Developing its own studio was a great investment to lower the costs associated with paying third party studio time for hundreds and even thousands of hours of work. In late 2002, Ripe Records released its first record, a single titled "Dance With Me" by J-Me. "Dance With Me" featured AJ. The single was a success on vinyl in underground clubs at first. The song spread from underground play to both dance and hip-hop radio. "Dance With Me" stayed on the Billboard Charts for 26 weeks, peaking at #3 on the Hot Singles Sales Charts. With both of its artists listed on the Billboard Charts, Ripe Records was making a name for itself as a talent pool for new artists.