What better way to create a new future, than to bury the past? Well, Rick Rubin buried his…Literally!
All good things must come to an end, but from death comes new beginnings. This is no truer a philosophy in relation to a moment in hip hop music history, which set then Def Jam Records co-owner Rick Rubin, on a trajectory to his present stature.
“Def”, a slang rising to popularity in the 80’s era, was a staple in the urban music industry. Rick however, found the word “Def” to have overstayed its welcome with the new negative stigma being attached, and its inclusion into the pages of the dictionary.
Rick sort to detach himself from his past and the record company name, Def American Records, and forge a new future ahead with the birth of his new record company, American Records. To accomplish this end, he concocted a lavish scheme; to hold an actual burial for the word “Def” on August 27th 1993. And who better to lead the proceedings than the man himself, Rev. Al Sharpton.
The guest list boast of notable presence and acts. Among some were Black Panthers with prop shotguns, The Amazing Kreskin, Tom Petty and Rosanna Arquette, the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ Flea, Sir Mix-A-Lot, and Warner Bros. Records chairman (and pallbearer) Mo Ostin.
Sharpton’s eulogy summarized the Death of Def in eloquent style, stating that def meant “more than excellent. Like, def-iantly excellent with a bang. Now the bang is out of def. It’s lost its exclusivity to the in, def-iant crowd. It died of terminal acceptance.”
Before Def was lowered to its final resting place, some of the 1,500+ mourners placed flowers and various musical and personal memorabilia in the open casket. With Def laid to rest, shenanigans were afoot. Mourners followed a 19th Century-style horse-drawn hearse and a six-piece brass band playing “Amazing Grace” to the after party, cleverly named “Ciao Def,” at a bowling alley.
With the mourning of one company, was the celebration of another.
Imo Wimana Chadband, known to the creative world as Wimana, is a music enthusiast, songwriter, poet, author, and screenwriter, with 10+ years’ experience working in the creative world.
His love for hip-hop/rap music and writing was discovered in his years at High School, and the rest is as they say, history. Wimana’s passion for journalism and writing would lead to him releasing several creative projects personally, as well as provide writing services professionally for clients globally.
He has written and curated content for various blogs and websites with his unique writing style, and continues to expand his arsenal to give readers the best experience through his work.
