Columbia Woos Rubin

Producer Rick Rubin is engaged in talks with Columbia Records to work out a deal that would make Rubin co-chairman of the label, according to the New York Times.

Rubin, who moved his own label, American Recordings, under the Warner Bros. Records umbrella just a year ago, reportedly has three years left on his contract with Warner.

It’s unclear whether Warner will try to block Rubin’s move to Columbia.