GRAMMY Winner Nile Rodgers on the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Music, Collaboration
Apr 12, 2017
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Nile Rodgers, GRAMMY Winner and member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Musical Excellence, discusses his understanding of music, successful collaborations with artists, and the importance of relationships. He shares stories about working with Madonna and changing lives through music. Nile reflects on his diverse upbringing in New York, emphasizing the benefits of programs and exposure to literature. He also talks about reinvention, embracing failure, and expresses gratitude towards his listeners.
Nile Rodgers prioritizes the best interests of the artists he collaborates with, ensuring they know that he is there to support and amplify their talents.
Nile Rogers emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and learning from it, viewing the creative process as more valuable than the outcome.
In the studio, Nile Rodgers acts as the head cheerleader for the artist, creating an encouraging and supportive environment, collaborating closely to bring their vision to life.
Deep dives
The Philosophy of Putting Others First
Niall Rogers prioritizes the best interests of the artists he collaborates with, ensuring they know that he is there to support and amplify their talents. He creates a positive and fun environment where artists can feel comfortable and free to explore their creativity. His work ethic and dedication to making the best record possible shines through in his approach, and he has a deep understanding of different musical cultures and languages, allowing him to connect with artists from diverse backgrounds.
Learning from Failures and Embracing the Process
Niall Rogers emphasizes the importance of embracing failure and learning from it. He sees failures as opportunities for growth and views the creative process as more valuable than the outcome. Niall has a relentless work ethic and is always striving to improve and challenge himself, constantly learning and expanding his musical knowledge and skills.
Bringing Out the Best in Others in the Studio
In the studio, Niall Rogers acts as the head cheerleader for the artist, creating an encouraging and supportive environment. He is deeply involved in the entire creative process, orchestrating records from start to finish. Niall pulls the best out of artists by amplifying their strengths and collaborating closely with them to bring their vision to life. He takes pride in being able to understand different musical cultures and genres, allowing him to work with a wide range of artists.
Continuous Learning and Love for Music
Niall Rogers has a deep passion for music and a genuine love for the process of creating it. He continually seeks to improve his own skills as a musician and producer, always striving to become better. Niall enjoys the challenge of discovering new ways to play the guitar and explore different musical ideas. His dedication to music and commitment to his craft have been key in his ability to reinvent himself and stay on top of his game throughout his career.
The Importance of Playing in the Space Between the Notes
Playing in the space between notes and thoughts is crucial for mastery. It allows musicians to create the groove and syncopation that gives their music a unique sound. Niles Rogers, a renowned musician and producer, emphasizes the significance of the space between notes in his approach to music. He believes that it is not just about the notes you play, but also about the ones you don't play. By leaving room for silence and carefully considering the next note, musicians can achieve a higher level of artistry and create captivating compositions.
The Journey to Mastery and Continuous Improvement
Niles Rogers's journey to mastery is rooted in his hunger for constant growth and improvement. He strives to be a better human, smarter, and kinder every day. Rogers attributes his successful career to his willingness to learn from others and surround himself with talented individuals. He believes that mastery is a personal definition and differs for each individual. For Rogers, mastery is not a destination but an ongoing process of refinement and development. He sees himself as a worker bee, always seeking to solve problems and make contributions to the music industry.
This conversation is with Nile Rodgers. If you've listened to music in the last 40 years, you've heard his work. By trade, he's a musician and a producer -- He's a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for Musical Excellence. He's done the hard yards to understand the nuances of himself and his craft, to be able to express the inner music, in ways that have influenced the rhythms of the world. What I wanted to learn most in this conversation is how Nile understands music, and how he's been so successful collaborating with others to bring out their music. He's produced Diana Ross, David Bowie, Duran Duran, Madonna, INXS, Britney Spears, Daft Punk, Pharrell Williams, Avicii, Sam Smith, Pitbull, Lady Gaga, Kylie Minogue, Keith Urban and Christina Aguilera. And the list goes on and on and on. This conversation is about relationships -- with self -- with others.
