What led to the initial decline of Ruff Ryders’ prominence?

The initial decline of Ruff Ryders’ prominence can primarily be attributed to internal conflicts among artists and business challenges. As the label grew, issues relating to artist management, creative differences, and disagreements over business strategies began to impact the collaboration and output within the team. These internal strife and challenges not only affected the relationships between the artists but also hindered the label's ability to promote new talent and sustain its innovative edge in a competitive market. The lack of a cohesive strategy and team unity made it difficult for the label to maintain its influence and visibility in the music industry, especially during a time when other labels were rapidly gaining traction.

In contrast, while increasing competition from other labels, changes in public music tastes, and legal issues with music rights are all relevant factors in the broader context of the music industry, they did not directly stem from the internal dynamics of Ruff Ryders, which played a more significant role in its decline. Focusing on the internal conflicts provides crucial insight into how internal workings can deeply affect a label's success and sustainability in the long term.