#57 – Rick Rubin, legendary music producer: collaborating with sensitive psyche of greatest living musicians, and his personal story of weight loss and spiritual quest

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Jun 10, 2019

Rick Rubin, a Grammy-winning music producer and co-founder of Def Jam Records, shares his journey from teenage hobbyist to industry icon. He delves into the emotional struggles that drive artistic expression, discussing his experiences helping artists overcome addiction. Rubin also reflects on his transformative weight loss and personal health battles, including a significant heart surgery. The conversation highlights the intersection of music and mental well-being, making his insights both relatable and inspiring.

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ANECDOTE

Early Production and NYC Hip-Hop Scene

Rick Rubin's early music production involved recording with his punk rock band and exploring the emerging hip-hop scene in NYC.
He frequented clubs like Negril, where Bronx and Queens DJs introduced hip-hop, contrasting with the limited recorded rap available, mainly 12-inch singles.

ANECDOTE

LL Cool J's Demo and Def Jam's Beginnings

LL Cool J, at 16, sent a demo tape to Rick Rubin's NYU dorm room, where Def Jam was operating.
Ad-Rock from the Beastie Boys, already acquainted with Rubin, played a pivotal role in LL Cool J's discovery.

INSIGHT

Early Hip-Hop Growth

Early hip-hop's success stemmed from virality and focused local scenes, not mainstream radio or widespread distribution.
Independent labels with limited reach played a key role in initial growth before major label partnerships.

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In this episode, Rick Rubin, legendary music producer and co-founder of Def Jam Records and American Recordings, discusses his early foray into music production which started as a hobby as a teenager and ultimately turned into a Grammy award-winning career that produced revolutionary changes in the music industry. Rick has worked with the likes of the Beastie Boys, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Johnny Cash, just to name a small fraction. Rick talks about the pain and suffering that sometimes drives music and the cycle of drug addiction and how he has been able to help artists through those struggles to make space for their creative genius. We also get into Rick’s own personal health journey including his battle with depression, his struggle with obesity, and ultimately his extraordinary transformation. Finally, Rick shares a really significant health scare which required emergency heart surgery, and how that experience has impacted him.

We discuss:

Early career, and the birth of hip hop [7:15];
Early success of Def Jam Recordings, and working with LL Cool J [13:15];
Revolutionary changes in music: LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, and Run DMC [19:30];
Partnership with Columbia Records, and leaving Def Jam [26:45];
The success of Licensed to Ill: how it took off, and how it changed things [36:00];
American Recordings: Rick’s transition to rock and roll [39:15];
Working with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and the poetic nature of music [45:45];
Rick’s favorite music that he did NOT produce [53:00];
Prevalence of drug use and emotional pain in musicians: Rick’s experience with helping artists through their struggles [57:20];
NYC vs. LA hip hop [1:05:30];
Rick’s battle with depression [1:10:00];
Coping with the death of artists that Rick worked with [1:22:00];
Working with Johnny Cash [1:26:45];
Working with Rage Against the Machine [1:34:30];
The digital age of music: Have we lost something? [1:37:45];
Rick’s health journey and battle with obesity [1:42:45];
Radical weight loss: How Rick was finally able to shed the weight [2:00:15];
Total transformation: Exercise and training with Laird Hamilton [2:11:00];
Emergency surgery: Rick’s frightening heart condition [2:25:30];
Methylene blue and exogenous ketones: Are they neuroprotective? [2:46:15];
The most profound thing Rick learned about himself from his heart condition and major surgery? [2:52:30];
What life lessons does Rick wish to impart on his son? [2:57:30]; and
More.

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