Ironically, Rubin passed on the one act that would end up producing those songs . Rubin signed on to distribute the leading U.K. dance label XL, issuing a 1993 compilation, XL Recordings: The American Chapter, that featured "Charly," a number-three British pop hit by a group called the Prodigy, led by producer Liam Howlett. The Prodigy had put its debut out in the U.S. on Elektra. When The American Chapter came out, they were working on their second album.

"I didn't like being on Elektra Records because they were always trying to get s—- remixes done by people we didn't like," says Howlett. "Rick came to our L.A. gig. We were like, 'S—-, man, Rick Rubin is here!' I wanted his autograph. I grew up on the records he produced."

Rubin decided to pass on signing the Prodigy. "Rick let it go," says Charnas. "At some point he either lost interest in it, or he just was losing so much money on it and nothing was happening." But the Prodigy were far from finished.

dancharnas
@richardXL thanks for the love Richard! i still remember my Prodigy cameo with fondness.

richardXL
@dancharnas good god i forgot your performance on "jilted"... one of the great guest verses. up there with busta on scenario