Kanye West is known to work extensively with co-producers. Whether it was Fionna Apple/Aimee Mann composer Jon Brion’s work on Late Registration, producer Jeff Bhasker’s many contributions on 808’s & Heartbreaks, or more recently, Scarface/Devin The Dude producer/engineer Mike Dean’s work since My Beautiful Twisted Dark Fantasy, it is not uncommon for Kanye to share credits in his album inserts.
The New York Post’s “Page Six” gossip column reports that this month’s Yeezus is no exception to West’s collaborative ways. The newspaper alleges that sources close to Island Def Jam informed them of iconic producer Rick Rubin’s involvement in the last several days. Said to now be an executive producer of Kanye’s sixth solo album, Rubin, who co-founded Def Jam Records in a New York University dormitory room with Russell Simmons 30 years ago, is aiding the label’s 2013 priority.
The Post claims that with the June 18 release date just over a week away, the last minute changes are a reaction to mixed reviews from press listening sessions of Yeezus. Additionally, Def Jam Records is allegedly concerned about one of the album’s songs, said to be called “Onsite.”
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The song reportedly samples a Chicago, Illinois church choir compromised of children. With the original sample believed to be recorded by The Holy Name of Mary Church Choir, label adminstration was working to clear the song’s rights as recently as last Friday (June 7). With concern over legal issue, West reportedly recorded a new version in New York City this weekend.
Much of Yeezus was recorded in Paris, France. Though Kanye West continues to premiere songs at live events, including last night’s Governor’s Ball in New York City, the tracklist of the album is still unknown to the public. Chicago’s Chief Keef claimed that his contribution to the album is secured, making him a lone confirmed guest.
Before working with West this month, Rick Rubin’s Hip Hop contributions date back to the early 1980s. In addition to his acclaimed label work with Def Jam, Def American and more recently Columbia Records, Rubin has produced seminal material for the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC and The Geto Boys. Having worked extensively with acts such as Slayer, Johnny Cash and Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers, Rubin returned to Hip Hop in the last 10 years to produce single tracks for Lil Jon & The Eastside Boyz as well as Jay-Z’s“99 Problems.”
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Neither Kanye West nor Def Jam have not yet confirmed the collaboration.
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