Frederick Jay Rubin (born March 10, 1963 in Lido Beach, New York) is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American record producer best known for his work with rap and heavy metal, as well as the "American series" albums with Johnny Cash. Rubin was a major figure in the fusion of rap and hard rock, having brought together Run-D.M.C. and Aerosmith for the hit song "Walk This Way". Rubin was a major figure in the fusion of rap and heavy metal into alternative metal, nu metal and other forms. MTV called him "the most important producer of the last 20 years."[1]

In addition to being a producer, he is a musician serving as the original DJ of the Beastie Boys, and a head of a record label, co-founding Def Jam Records with Russell Simmons, and later founding American Recordings.