Podcast
Questions and Answers
Who founded Def Jam Recordings?
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?
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?
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?
What artcore punk band did Rick Rubin form when he moved to New York City?
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What year did Rick Rubin return to his NYU dorm room where he started Def Jam Records?
What year did Rick Rubin return to his NYU dorm room where he started Def Jam Records?
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Who was Rick Rubin's mentor in the music business?
Who was Rick Rubin's mentor in the music business?
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What song did Rick Rubin decide to produce after hearing it in 1983?
What song did Rick Rubin decide to produce after hearing it in 1983?
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What was the first release to carry the Def Jam logo?
What was the first release to carry the Def Jam logo?
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Which of the following albums is credited as establishing hip-hop as a viable part of the commercial mainstream?
Which of the following albums is credited as establishing hip-hop as a viable part of the commercial mainstream?
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What was the name of the single produced by Rick Rubin that featured RUN-D.M.C and Aerosmith?
What was the name of the single produced by Rick Rubin that featured RUN-D.M.C and Aerosmith?
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The band Rick Rubin formed while in high school was called ______.
The band Rick Rubin formed while in high school was called ______.
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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.
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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.
