Questions are surrounding Rick Rubin’s future with Columbia Records.

In recent weeks, as several executives at Columbia who were closely aligned with Mr. Rubin have left the label, questions have surfaced about Mr. Rubin’s continued executive role there, and about how much influence he has in the company’s business operations. (New York Times)

Rick Rubin is not your typical corporate music executive. Russel Simmons, a record executive, says Rubin likes to work at his own pace.

“Associates of Mr. Rubin, some of whom spoke anonymously because they did not want to anger him, described the situation as one in which Mr. Rubin has steadily lost influence over the organization because his style is so different from that of the usual executive and because he is often absent from the corporate offices. The impression from these interviews is of a power game within Columbia in which Mr. Rubin refuses to participate.”

The most notable recent success at Columbia Records was last year’s AC/DC album, “Black Ice,” which sold 1.9 million units.

In my opinion, Rick Rubin is a fantastic producer and has earned the respect from some of the greatest artists, thus, his future is just fine.