VSCO Presents "A New Wave of Hip-Hop" featuring Goldlink & Rick Rubin

Legendary music producer Rick Rubin, one of hip-hop’s most influential figures, has helped shape the musical landscape of the past 30 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.