Def Jam Recordings History Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Who founded Def Jam Recordings?

Rick Rubin

What was the first hip-hop single to break into the Top Five of the Billboard Hot 100?

Walk This Way

What punk band did Rick Rubin play guitar in during high school?

The Pricks

What artcore punk band did Rick Rubin form when he moved to New York City?

Hose Signup and view all the answers

What year did Rick Rubin return to his NYU dorm room where he started Def Jam Records?

2014 Signup and view all the answers

Who was Rick Rubin's mentor in the music business?

Jazzy Jay Signup and view all the answers

What song did Rick Rubin decide to produce after hearing it in 1983?

Sucker MCs Signup and view all the answers

What was the first release to carry the Def Jam logo?

It's Yours Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following albums is credited as establishing hip-hop as a viable part of the commercial mainstream?

Licensed to Ill Signup and view all the answers

What was the name of the single produced by Rick Rubin that featured RUN-D.M.C and Aerosmith?

Walk This Way Signup and view all the answers

The band Rick Rubin formed while in high school was called ______.

The Pricks Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Rick Rubin

Founded Def Jam Recordings in 1982 at age 19 while studying philosophy at NYU, producing music from his dorm room.
Background includes being white, suburban, and Jewish, influencing his unique perspective in the music industry.

Landmark Productions

Produced "Walk This Way" by RUN-D.M.C and Aerosmith, the first hip-hop single to reach the Top Five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Produced "Licensed to Ill" by the Beastie Boys, the first hip-hop album to top the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.
Both projects are credited with establishing hip-hop's prominence in the commercial mainstream, marking the onset of the "new school" era.

Early Life and Musical Influence

Grew up in Lido Beach, Long Island, with a strong interest in music; played guitar in a high school punk band called The Pricks.
Recorded a demo during high school, demonstrating early engagement with music production.

Hose and Punk Band Experience

Formed an artcore punk band called Hose in 1981 while attending NYU, modeling it after San Francisco's Flipper.
Produced a 12-inch EP covering Rick James' "Superfreak" and released the single "Mobo" using his dorm room address for Def Jam, before shifting focus to hip-hop.

Return to NYU Dorm Room

In 2014, Rubin revisited his NYU dorm room, marking 30 years since founding Def Jam Records, which served as the initial office and production studio for the label.
Featured in a documentary highlighting the rich history of hip-hop and interviews with prominent figures, including the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J.

Mentorship and Early Hip-Hop Engagement

Became friends with DJ Jazzy Jay of the Zulu Nation in 1983, learning the music business from him and Afrika Bambaataa's influences.
Acknowledges Jazzy Jay as a mentor who helped him understand recording and the music industry.

First Hip-Hop Record Production

Inspired by RUN-D.M.C's track "Sucker MCs," Rubin produced a hip-hop record for the first time in 1983.

"It's Yours" Production

Collaborated with Jazzy Jay to produce "It's Yours" featuring rapper T La Rock, marking the first release with the Def Jam logo.
Recorded the demo in Jazzy Jay's living room and the final track at an obscure Queens studio, ultimately released on Arthur Baker's Partytime Records.
Master recording maintained by Partytime Records while Rubin created the backing track with assistance from Jazzy Jay.

Description

Explore the pivotal moments in the history of Def Jam Recordings with these flashcards. Learn about key figures like Rick Rubin and important albums that shaped the hip-hop genre. Perfect for music enthusiasts and students alike who want to dive deeper into the new school of hip-hop.