He would often help arrange drum beats, guitar melodies and lyrics. Unlike the Peppers' previous producers, Rubin was someone the band felt confident in to ask for guidance and input during times of difficulty. One in particular, Rick Rubin, stood out, as he was more broadminded than people the band had worked with in the past, even though Rubin had turned down the chance to produce their 1987 album The Uplift Mofo Party Plan due to the drug problems of Kiedis and guitarist Hillel Slovak (who would die of a heroin overdose a year later). Records, the Chili Peppers began looking for a suitable producer. Ostin called an old friend at EMI, who immediately allowed for the label transfer. That was the kind of guy I'd want to be working for." The group pursued the idea, and eventually dropped the contract with Sony in favor of a deal with Warner Bros. Kiedis recalled of the situation: "The coolest, most real person we had met during all these negotiations had just personally called to encourage me to make a great record for a rival company. Records called Kiedis to congratulate him on the successful deal, and complimented the rival record label. Although a deal had been made with Sony/Epic, Mo Ostin of Warner Bros. Though the label promised it would take only a few days, the process stretched out into several months. The group reached a consensus to go with Sony BMG/Epic, with the proviso that they buy out their last album from EMI. Īs the band's contract with EMI came to an end, they began looking for another record label.
He convinced Frusciante to play with an overall heavier tone, and instructed Anthony Kiedis to write lyrics that would be more radio-viable, thus causing the band to feel restricted creatively.
Although the album was mildly successful, production was weighed down by producer Michael Beinhorn. The band's previous album, 1989's Mother's Milk, became the band's second album to enter in the Billboard 200, peaking at number 52 and at the time the biggest of their career. Frusciante quit the band during the 1992 tour, uncomfortable with fame he rejoined in 1998.īlood Sugar Sex Magik is recognized as an influential and seminal component of the alternative rock explosion of the early 1990s, with Steve Huey of AllMusic calling it "probably the best album the Chili Peppers will ever make". The album propelled the Red Hot Chili Peppers into worldwide popularity and critical acclaim. The album's subject matter incorporates sexual innuendos and references to drugs and death, as well as themes of lust and exuberance.īlood Sugar Sex Magik peaked at number three on the US Billboard 200, and produced the hit singles " Under the Bridge", " Give It Away", " Suck My Kiss", " Breaking the Girl", and " If You Have to Ask". Produced by Rick Rubin, its musical style differed notably from the band's previous album Mother's Milk (1989), reducing the use of heavy metal guitar riffs and accentuating the melodic songwriting contributions of guitarist John Frusciante. Blood Sugar Sex Magik is the fifth studio album by American rock band Red Hot Chili Peppers, released on September 24, 1991, by Warner Bros.