Hey we are taking a break and going on holiday for a week. We'll be back next Monday October 13th.

In the meantime you should watch these awesome DEF JAM videos featuring Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons on the beginnings of the iconic label.

Episode 1

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.

Episode 2

Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin discuss the origins of the Beastie Boys with Elliot Wilson, from their humble beginning as a punk band with a hip-hop inflected single to their success with the misunderstood 'Licensed to Ill'.

Episode 3

The early days of Public Enemy are examined by Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin in the new video clip, the third in a series examining the early days of Def Jam. With the aid of Elliott Wilson, the pair talk about Chuck D's time with Spectrum City, the formation of the concept of Public Enemy, and the incendiary nature of their thought-provoking lyrics.

Episode 4

In the final segment, Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin riff on the birth of Slick Rick and what he meant to Def Jam, reflecting on the early days. They explain his indefinable charisma and how they knew immediately they needed to work with him.