Rick Rubinology

Perhaps it is a ironic joke of my life that so many of the things I enjoy begin with the word “Rick” – Rick Ross, Rickrolling, and, of course, mega-producer Rick Rubin. Perhaps known to some as the “guy with the ZZ Top beard in the ’99 Problems’ video”, Rubin, co-founder of Def Jam records and co-president of Columbia Records, is without argument an industry great. The original white kid from New York who loved underground hip-hop, Rubin has produced some of the most influential records by some of the most influential artists in the past few decades. Beastie Boys’ Licensed to Ill, Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Blood Sugar Sex Magik, Slayer’s Seasons in the Abyss, Jay-Z’s Black Album and, most recently, Adele’s 21 – all classics, all Rubin produced and approved.

The trademark style of Rubin’s production is a simple, stripped-down sound. The best example of this would be his credit on LL Cool J’s Radio that reads, simply, “reduced by Rick Rubin”. Through all of the interviews he has done he seems to sum up the artists and songs he has established with a simple philosophy – he produces what he wants to listen to (whether that be rap, country, or death metal). So take a page from Rubin’s book and spend the weekend listening to what you love.

Some Rubin-produced tunes:

Johnny Cash – Hurt

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Beastie Boys – No Sleep Till Brooklyn

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BONUS TRACK: A song from one of my absolute favorite albums produced by Rubin by one of my all time favorite bands:

Red Hot Chili Peppers – I Could Have Lied

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