Founders
#245 Rick Rubin (In the Studio)
Podcast summary created with Snipd AI
Quick takeaways
- Simplicity is ultimate sophistication in music production.
- Discovery over invention in product creation and innovation.
- Encouraging beginner's mindset for groundbreaking innovations.
Deep dives
Rick Rubin's Musical Journey and Career Evolution
Rick Rubin's career began in hip-hop where he co-founded Def Jam Records, launching rap into commercial success. Transitioning to metal, he founded Def American and produced groundbreaking acts like Slayer. His work with artists like Johnny Cash stood out as remarkable. Rubin's minimalist approach to music production, focusing on simplicity and authenticity, led to numerous successful collaborations.
The Essence of Simplicity in Music Production
Rubin's philosophy revolves around simplicity and authenticity in music production. His approach, 'production by reduction,' aims to capture music in its most basic and pure form. He values minimalism and believes in stripping down songs to their essence. Through his meticulous attention to detail and focus on quality content, Rubin ensures that the final product resonates with listeners.
Entrepreneurial Spirit and Innovative Marketing Strategies
Rubin's entrepreneurial spirit and innovative marketing strategies were pivotal in his success. From producing hits like LL Cool J's album to collaborating with popular artists such as Aerosmith, he demonstrated a keen eye for identifying gaps in the music industry. Rubin's ability to mix genres and push boundaries, evident in his work with the Beastie Boys and Run DMC, further solidified his reputation as a visionary producer.
Rick Rubin's Approach to Creativity and Self-Reflection
Rubin's approach to creativity involves attention to detail and constant self-reflection. He emphasizes the importance of embracing artistic authenticity and avoiding regrets. By viewing his work as a diary entry capturing moments in time, Rubin ensures that each creation is a genuine reflection of his vision. His relentless pursuit of excellence and unwavering confidence contribute to his continuous success in the music industry.
Finding Success in Ignorance and Passion
Rick Rubin discusses the value of ignorance and naivety in embarking on new ventures, highlighting the importance of a beginner's mind paired with deep enthusiasm. By citing historical instances in entrepreneurship, Rubin emphasizes how a lack of knowledge about the rules, combined with genuine passion, can lead to groundbreaking innovations. He encourages embracing an amateur mindset that defies conventional boundaries, enabling the creation of truly innovative ideas.
Pursuing Excellence through Persistence and Simplicity
Rick Rubin's approach to music production is characterized by persistence and simplicity, focusing on refining one's craft relentlessly and stripping down unnecessary elements to emphasize the core essence of a song. Through examples like his work with Johnny Cash and Neil Diamond, Rubin's commitment to uncomplicated yet powerful music shines. He prioritizes working with top-tier talent, focusing on clear thinking and dedication to creating timeless music that resonates with authenticity and excellence.
What I learned from reading Rick Rubin: In the Studio by Jake Brown.
----
Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders at Founders Notes.com
----
Rick Rubin on Lex Fridman Podcast #275
Rick Rubin on The Peter Attia Drive Podcast #57
[1:39] Decoded by Jay Z. (Founders #238)
[3:19] Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication.
[3:31] His goal is to record music in its most basic and purest form. No extra bells and whistles. All wheat, no chaff.
[5:42] Dr. Land was saying: “I could see what the Polaroid camera should be. It was just as real to me as if it was sitting in front of me before I had ever built one.” And Steve said: “Yes, that’s exactly the way I saw the Macintosh.” He said if I asked someone who had only used a personal calculator what a Macintosh should be like they couldn’t have told me. There was no way to do consumer research on it so I had to go and create it and then show it to people and say now what do you think?” Both of them had this ability to not invent products, but discover products. Both of them said these products have always existed — it’s just that no one has ever seen them before. We were the ones who discovered them. The Polaroid camera always existed and the Macintosh always existed — it’s a matter of discovery.
[7:31] My goal is to just get out of the way and let the people I'm working with be the best versions of themselves.
[7:50] Berkshire Hathaway Letters to Shareholders 1965-2018 by Warren Buffett (Founders #88)
[11:26] In-N-Out Burger: A Behind-the-Counter Look at the Fast-Food Chain That Breaks All the Rules by Stacy Perman. (Founders #244)
[14:13] “Designing a product is keeping 5,000 things in your brain and fitting them all together in new and different ways.” —Steve Jobs
[16:00] Less is more but you have to do more to get to less.
[16:25] Against The Odds: An Autobiography by James Dyson and reading A History of Great Inventions by James Dyson. (Founders #200)
[17:56] Rubin's most valuable quality is his own confidence.
[20:57] If we're going to do this, let's aim for greatness. You have to believe what you were doing is the most important thing in the world.
[21:29] Damn Right: Behind the Scenes with Berkshire Hathaway Billionaire Charlie Munger by Janet Lowe. (Founders #221) “Everybody engaged in complicated work needs colleagues. Just the discipline of having to put your thoughts in order with somebody else is a very useful thing.”
[24:24] On being a reducer —not a producer: Often in the studio there will be the idea to add layers to make it seem bigger. Sometimes the more things you add, the smaller it gets. A lot of it is counterintuitive. You need to discover it in practice.
[27:10] I want to play loud. I want to be heard. And I want all to know I'm not one of the herd.
[36:16] There were no stars in rap music. It was really just a work of passion. Everyone who was doing it was doing it because they loved it, not because anyone thought it was a career.
[38:12] Krush Groove YouTube link
[38:47] Russell really cared about finding new ways to expose their music to a bigger audience.
[39:03] Bloomberg by Michael Bloomberg. (Founders #228)
[44:19] A handmade product at scale.
[48:23] Rap music as recorded work was just eight years old.
[50:06] Q: Do you have an engine of constant dissatisfaction. Self criticism that I could have done better? A: No. I’m pleased with the work that we did. Excited to keep working. It’s fun. I don’t know what else I’d do with myself. I like making things, it’s fun. I feel like it’s my reason to be on the planet so I just keep doing it. If it could be better I would have kept working on it. If it could be better it’s not done. I’ve done everything I can to make it the best it can be. I can’t do more than that so there is nothing to be critical of. It is almost like a diary entry. Everything we make is a reflection in a moment in time. Could be a day, could be a year.
[52:54] These things that we don't understand and cannot explain happen regularly.
[58:33] To be ignorant of what occurred before you were born is to remain always a child.
[58:58] He's living in four different centuries at once.
[1:01:02] I believe in you so much, I'm going to make you believe in you.
[1:03:07] Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire by James Wallace and Jim Erickson (Founders #140) Gates and Allen were convinced the computer industry was about to reach critical mass, and when it exploded it would usher in a technological revolution of astounding magnitude. They were on the threshold of one of those moments when history held its breath... and jumped, as it had done with the development of the car and the airplane. They could either lead the revolution or be swept along by it.
[1:05:35] The newest sounds have a tendency to sound old when the next new sound comes along. But a grand piano sounded great 50 years ago and will sound great 50 years from now. I try to make records that have a timeless quality.
[1:13:58] Mozart: A Life by Paul Johnson. (Founders #240)
----
Get access to the World’s Most Valuable Notebook for Founders at Founders Notes.com
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested, so my poor wallet suffers. ”— Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
----
Founders Notes gives you the ability to tap into the collective knowledge of history's greatest entrepreneurs on demand. Use it to supplement the decisions you make in your work. Get access to Founders Notes here.
----
“I have listened to every episode released and look forward to every episode that comes out. The only criticism I would have is that after each podcast I usually want to buy the book because I am interested so my poor wallet suffers. ” — Gareth
Be like Gareth. Buy a book: All the books featured on Founders Podcast
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
