Russell Simmons X Rick Rubin On the Birth of Def Jam Recordings - Back & Forth - Part 1 of 4

Two music pioneers square off in this special edition of Noisey's Back & Forth series focused on the 30th Anniversary of the legendary Def Jam Recordings. Def Jam founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin, with the aid of the great Elliott Wilson, talk about the early days of the label, their first twelve-inch release, LL Cool J's hit "Radio," and LL Cool J's involvement with Run-D.M.C. in this clip, available via Noisey for the first time.

Celebrate three decades of the goliath that is Def Jam Recordings at their anniversary bash, set to take place on October 16th at Barclays Center in Brooklyn. Look for appearances ranging from Rick Ross to 2 Chainz to EPMD to Ja Rule to Jeremih.

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[fattonyrap]

I wanna see the raw, unedited, entire interview of this "back & forth" one day soon!

[vanusaneto]

This will mos definitly be the most important back and forth of Noisey

[Noisey]

Def Jam founders Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin talk about the early days of the label, their first twelve-inch release, LL Cool J's hit "Radio, " and LL Cool J's involvement with Run-D.M.C.

[PhyuckYiu]

I hope Noisey doesn't think this is enough for us. 3 min? I could listen to their back and forth for an hour.

[YellowSynth]

love these two and their chemistry made me wanna watch more 

[youngblesshumannature]

DEF JAM lives FOREVER! It always go's out to RAP, HIP HOP, R&B & POP. DEF JAM CAN'T DIED AT ALL.

[brylehabits]

Having watched heaps of Rubin interviews, I noticed how he sounds younger in this one. Haha. Maybe its just me.

[ScubaDave]

I want more of this, i was upset when it cut off

[DannyBoyLovesGirls]

I would definitely see a biography of the uprising of Def Jam

[juliankenzo]

only 3 minutes? i'm aware that there are 3 more upcoming videos but this is too short for these two legends!

[SandeepSagoo]

Def Jam, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin were real pioneers of Hip-Hop. Watch this short 3 minute clip of the beginnings of the record label and records that helped define the genre of Hip-Hop.

[stewarteasy]

Def Jam was the Motown Records of hip hop. Def Jam was the history that changed the history of hip hop forever. LL Cool J, everyboday at Def Jam was holding it down pre-2000s at the time.

[instrohousemafia]

That 'T La Rock - It's Yours' record is still super incredible! 🔥🤯

[AustinDelSalto]

please tell me that there will be may more from this back and forth

[NovaGreen]

Wow!! Thank you! For all it's done this record label deserves the respect of everyone period. Rubin is genius, Simmons is rap game Bill Gates.

[DanielFreshBot]

Please tell me this is just a preview I could listen to this for at least an hour

[DJPETE]

That fucking beard is worth more than my house and car combined.

[BKTMRECORDZ]

Rick rubin is a fuckin legend! Props to that guy!

[TheGreatestCookie]

Rick Rubin a true legend in music industries! Already digging this interview :D

[imnotgovernorwatts]

let me guess noisey you filmed more than 2:59 but either are gonna make it a 8 part 5 mins segmented video over a month or are just straight up never gonna release it. you have two greats here and this is seriously all you have to show for it????