In a university dorm room, a rap dynasty is emerging. NME travels to New York to interview wordsmiths RuN DMC, along the way meeting producers Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons – the brains behind Def Jam. “The street wants something specific,” says Simmons.
LAST WEEK in New York I was told to go and meet a tubby 23-year-old record producer called Rick Rubin. Rick studies video at New York University and estimates that he hasn’t attended one class in the last 10 months. He’s not that bothered. He’s pretty certain that he’ll graduate at the end of the year. He lives on campus in a tiny cramped room which has difficulty accommodating his possessions, let alone his roommate’s. Every available space is taken up. Shelves are stacked high with records, books and tapes, the floor is covered with clothes and those all-important Nike training shoes.
It is from here that Rick runs Def Jam Records. His boss, Russell Simmons, operates from the other side of town. But he’s involved in so many other projects that to all intents and purposes Room 203, on the eighth floor of BNYU’s residential hall, is Def Jam.
So far Rick has produced and overseen the release of three singles: LL Cool J’s “I Need A Beat”, the wild “Rock Hard” by the Beastie Boys and “TLA Rock” by Jazzy Jay, three underground records that London’s b-boys have cherished these last few months.
Rick has two more singles on hold, and when he plays you these he cranks up the volume to an almost unbearable level, sits in his chair and, with eyes tightly closed, concentrates on every sound and every detail with an almost manic intensity. When the tune finishes, Rick remains transfixed in this position for about 10 seconds and then… boom!… he’ll snap out of it, smile, and change the record.
Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av The History of Rock.
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Denne historien er fra March 2017-utgaven av The History of Rock.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Music With a Capital 'M'
The prolific HÜSKER DÜ have escaped the strictures of hardcore, to make truly remarkable music. “There’s nothing incredibly new about it,” says BOB MOULD. “We’re just doing what we do the best we can.”
All Pop is Political
“To me, pop and the whole notion of pleasure, sex, entertainment and leisure is political,” says SCRITTI POLITTI’s GREEN GARTSIDE. “So Dead Or Alive with their swirling clothes have as much political resonance as Billy Bragg.” Charming as he is, Gartside’s work doesn’t please everyone.
I Think I Hold My Ground
NME OCT 5 Introducing a product of NYC coffee society… Suzanne Vega.
It's Better To Burn Hard Than To Rot
With his reputation on a high, a tangential interview reveals a lot about the unique worldview and oddball technique of TOM WAITS. On the release of Rain Dogs, Tom talks white socks, neuroscience and his new guitarist, Keith Richards. “We met in a woman’s lingerie shop…”
Business is Booming
In a university dorm room, a rap dynasty is emerging. NME travels to New York to interview wordsmiths RuN DMC, along the way meeting producers Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons – the brains behind Def Jam. “The street wants something specific,” says Simmons.
I Don't Think Keith Was Pleased
MICK JAGGER makes a solo album. In Paris, the singer talks dodging paparazzi, the outrageous young Rolling Stones, and the miners’ strike. He even touches on his solo prospects. “You can’t expect to get No 1s all the time,” he says, “and if you do you’re a cunt.”
I'm Prepared to Go Down With the Ship
On behalf of THE SMITHS, Morrissey meets the fanzine press. He faces questions about love, Band Aid, the Moors Murderers and the band’s own unique position in the world. “There are people I admire,” he says, “but ultimately we are alone.”
Ambition. Greed. Money
Most of these are missing from THE POGUES as they stagger across Europe on tour. “Even if I drink myself to death doing this,” says SHANE MACGOWAN, “I’d still prefer that to the boring, horrible jobs I had to do before this band.”
Pandemonium
MM July 13 Bruce Springsteen seduces the masses.
