I don't know what makes someone hip. The goal is artist achievement and the best work we can do with no limitation.

These covers would often receive acclaim both critically and commercially. "[citation needed]
On the subject of his production methods Dan Charnas a music journalist who worked as vice president of A&R and marketing at Rubin's American Recordings label in the 1990s said "He's fantastic with sound and arrangements and he's tremendous with artists. He then directed and co-wrote (with Ric Menello) a second Run-D.

In the 1990s and 2000s he produced the "American Recordings" albums with Johnny Cash. M. C.