He may have always been Rick Rubin to us, but his mama named him Frederick.

According to TMZ, that's why the legendary producer and record label owner filed the necessary legal documents to change his name once and for all. And although no one calls him by his birth name Frederick Rubin -- at least not publicly -- it seems he wants to cut all ties to the name.

Plus, Rick Rubin has a much better ring to it, with the double r's and everything, and it's probably a way better name to use while navigating the sometimes overly hip and cool music industry.

Of course the hip-hop pioneer founded Def Jam with Russell Simmons back in the early '80's, and went on to start American Recordings many years later. Rubin has produced songs for some of rap's biggest acts including Jay Z, the Beastie Boys and LL Cool J.

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