Legendary music producer Rick Rubin, one of hip hop’s most influential figures, has helped shape the musical landscape of the past thirty years, producing artists like Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C, Slayer, Johnny Cash, Adele, Kanye West, and Jay Z. Rick works out of his Malibu Shangri La recording studio, crafting the next generation-defining sound.
VSCO had the chance to visit Shangri La and get a sneak preview of Rick’s next collaborative project with up-and-coming artist GoldLink. A Washington D.C. native, Goldlink’s self-released nine-track The God Complex dropped last year, catching Rick’s attention for its “non hip hop - hip hop direction,” as Rick calls it. GoldLink pulls his “futuristic bounce” sound from hip hop, with go-go vibes and textures baked in, reflective of his D.C. influence. He credits his sound to a long, detailed process “of weeks to months of nonstop studying of a million things and little to no sleep,” musical influences that range from the gospel his mother played, to Benny Sings, Willie Nelson, and the Hot Boys and old 50 Cent that his brother introduced him to.
On the day VSCO visited, Rick and GoldLink are in the studio, trading beats and previewing tracks. GoldLink has taken his time working on his new wave of sound, bringing in tribal African drums and tempo. He wants his next release to sound like growth, musically and lyrically. Rick agrees: “Just focus on the art, and everything else takes care of itself. Make sure every single thing, that you love it. If you love ’em all, you’ll be fine. People get distracted with other stuff and when that shifts, it’s when it starts going the wrong way.”
GoldLink adds a new chapter to Rick’s storied musical legacy. Instrumental to hip hop’s beginnings, Rick is now invested in seeing it advance. He says, “GoldLink connects progressive rap styles with cutting edge dance music. He bridges the electronic DJ culture with hip hop in a way we haven’t heard before.” It’s GoldLink’s ability “to move hip hop forward in new, unexpected ways” that Rick says drew him to GoldLink’s style, in addition to his voice and charisma.
For GoldLink, working with Rick Rubin “has opened the floodgates of creativity so wide” that he feels there are no limits. He’s striving to be bigger and working to “restlessly perfect” the quality of his music. As Rick says, “If it’s good, it’s undeniable.”
The exclusive photos featured in this article are from VSCO’s time with GoldLink and Rick Rubin in Malibu.
Listen to The God Complex here.
Legendary music producer Rick Rubin, one of hip hop’s most influential figures, has helped shape the musical landscape of the past thirty years, producing artists like Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C, Slayer, Johnny Cash, Adele, Kanye West, and Jay Z. Rick works out of his Malibu Shangri La recording studio, crafting the next generation-defining sound.
VSCO had the chance to visit Shangri La and get a sneak preview of Rick’s next collaborative project with up-and-coming artist GoldLink. A Washington D.C. native, Goldlink’s self-released nine-track The God Complex dropped last year, catching Rick’s attention for its “non hip hop - hip hop direction,” as Rick calls it. GoldLink pulls his “futuristic bounce” sound from hip hop, with go-go vibes and textures baked in, reflective of his D.C. influence. He credits his sound to a long, detailed process “of weeks to months of nonstop studying of a million things and little to no sleep,” musical influences that range from the gospel his mother played, to Benny Sings, Willie Nelson, and the Hot Boys and old 50 Cent that his brother introduced him to.
On the day VSCO visited, Rick and GoldLink are in the studio, trading beats and previewing tracks. GoldLink has taken his time working on his new wave of sound, bringing in tribal African drums and tempo. He wants his next release to sound like growth, musically and lyrically. Rick agrees: “Just focus on the art, and everything else takes care of itself. Make sure every single thing, that you love it. If you love ’em all, you’ll be fine. People get distracted with other stuff and when that shifts, it’s when it starts going the wrong way.”
GoldLink adds a new chapter to Rick’s storied musical legacy. Instrumental to hip hop’s beginnings, Rick is now invested in seeing it advance. He says, “GoldLink connects progressive rap styles with cutting edge dance music. He bridges the electronic DJ culture with hip hop in a way we haven’t heard before.” It’s GoldLink’s ability “to move hip hop forward in new, unexpected ways” that Rick says drew him to GoldLink’s style, in addition to his voice and charisma.
For GoldLink, working with Rick Rubin “has opened the floodgates of creativity so wide” that he feels there are no limits. He’s striving to be bigger and working to “restlessly perfect” the quality of his music. As Rick says, “If it’s good, it’s undeniable.”
The exclusive photos featured in this article are from VSCO’s time with GoldLink and Rick Rubin in Malibu. Listen to The God Complex here.
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