Today is producer Rick Rubin’s 60th birthday! He is the co-founder of Def Jam Recordings, founder of American Recordings, and former co-president of Columbia Records. Rubin is an incredibly influential figure in the music industry. He helped popularize hip hop by producing records for acts such as the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, and LL Cool J. He has also produced hit records for acts from a variety of other genres including heavy metal (Danzig, Metallica and Slayer), alternative rock (the Cult, Red Hot Chili Peppers, the Strokes and Weezer), hard rock (Audioslave and Aerosmith), nu-metal (Linkin Park, Rage Against the Machine, System of a Down), and country (Johnny Cash and the Chicks).

Let’s celebrate the birthday of this record producing legend by honoring some of his work! For today’s 9:30 Coffee Break, what songs produced by Rick Rubin do you want to hear?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs Played:
Run DMC – It’s Tricky
Johnny Cash – God’s Gonna Cut You Down
The Strokes – The Adults Are Talking
Beastie Boys – Brass Monkey
Tom Petty – Wildflowers
The Avett Brothers – January Wedding
Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under the Bridge
The Cult – Love Removal Machine
Gossip – Dimestore Diamond (Bonus!)