Legendary
producer Rick Rubin has been offered a job as co-chairman of Columbia Records,
according to the New York Times.
Rubin
is known for co-founding Def Jam Records and his work with LL Cool J, Run DMC, Beastie Boys, and many more artists such as Jay-Z, Megadeath, Johnny Cash and the Red Hot Chili
Peppers. He is also known for signing notable hip hop acts such as the Geto
Boys and Public Enemy.
In
2005, Rubin’s own label, American Recordings, became a subsidiary of Warner Bros.
After receiving the offer from Columbia, the producer is reportedly negotiating
his terms of release from Warner Bros. in favor of the new position.
As
co-chair, Rubin’s responsibilities would include signing artists and assisting
with marketing campaigns. The Times has said that if he did take the
position at Columbia, Rubin would likely be allowed to continue producing for
Warner Bros.
The
producer’s recent work includes Grammy-nominated production on the Red Hot
Chili Peppers’ Stadium Arcadium and Justin Timberlake‘s FutureSex/Lovesounds,
as well as the Dixie Chick’s Taking the Long Way. In addition, Rubin
is up for the prestigious Producer of the Year award.
