Rick Rubin has admitted that he “knows nothing” about music and lacks “technical competence” in the studio.
A legendary artist with a cross-genre career who has worked with JAY-Z, Kanye West, Eminem, LL COOL J, Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Public Enemy, as well as rock acts such as Red Hot Chili Peppers and Black Sabbath. Producer – said in an extensive interview with 60 minutes I ‘barely’ even know how to make music or play an instrument.
“Do you play an instrument?” Anderson Cooper asked in a clip shared on Twitter. “Barely,” Rubin replied, to which Cooper retorted.
“No. I have no technical ability and know nothing about music,” Rubin said, making Cooper laugh.
Rick Rubin became a world-class music producer without knowing anything about music pic.twitter.com/3DhJi0IpK0
— David Perell (@david_perell) January 16, 2023
Elsewhere in an interview airing on Sunday (January 21), the music veteran said his taste in music has always been the driving force behind all his creative choices. publication Creative Acts: Ways of Being This process is explained in detail.
“I know what I like and what I don’t like,” he said. “And I’m decisive about what I like and don’t like.”
“So what are you getting paid for?” Cooper asked. “Confidence in one’s taste and ability to express what one feels has proven beneficial for artists,” Rubin modestly concludes.
Rick Rubin, arguably one of the most respected and accomplished producers in all of music, founded Def Jam Records with Russell Simmons in the early 1980s. He also started a rock-oriented label, American Records, and was at one point co-president of Columbia Records.
The 59-year-old has won nine Grammy Awards, helped create the biggest rap record of all time, and gave LL COOL J the “Rick Rubin scaled down” touch. wirelessBeastie Boys’ Licensed to sick and of public enemies It takes millions of countries to hold us back Kanye West recently Yeezus.
Rubin’s lack of technical experience in music has been public knowledge for years, and in a previous interview channel 4 news Part of his creative decision comes from avoiding comparisons with what is currently popular or successful.
“We each have our own voice. We each have our own voice,” he said. “What I do is different from what you do…we all do different things and you can’t compare them. They have nothing to do with each other. Ringo and It’s orange.”
He added: You can continuously improve what you are making. Learn, practice, you can do anything. ”