Rick Rubin Quotes

Powerful Rick Rubin for Daily Growth

About Rick Rubin

Rick Rubin, born on March 10, 1963, in Long Beach, California, is an eminent American record producer, musician, and entrepreneur. Known for his innovative production techniques and knack for discovering and nurturing musical talent, he has left an indelible mark on the music industry. Rubin's passion for music was ignited at a young age, with punk rock becoming his primary influence. This love led him to co-found Def Jam Recordings in 1984, alongside Russell Simmons, where he produced groundbreaking hip-hop acts such as Run-DMC and Beastie Boys. The Beastie Boys' album "Licensed to Ill" (1986), under Rubin's production, was the first hip-hop album to top the Billboard 200 chart. In 1990, Rubin co-founded American Recordings and expanded his musical repertoire by working with artists from various genres, including Red Hot Chili Peppers, Metallica, System of a Down, and Johnny Cash. His work with Johnny Cash on the album "American Recordings" (1994) was particularly noteworthy, revitalizing the career of the legendary country singer. Rubin's approach to music production emphasizes emotional connection, stripping down tracks to their essential elements and encouraging artists to reveal their most authentic selves. He is also renowned for his philosophical interviews with musicians, often delving deep into their psyches and creative processes during recording sessions, a practice he calls "defining moments." Today, Rubin continues to work as a record producer, focusing on projects that resonate deeply with him. His impact on the music industry is undeniable, and his influence extends beyond the realm of production into the fields of mental health and personal development.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best way to make good creative decisions is to trust yourself and follow your heart."

The quote implies that to produce high-quality, creative work, one should rely on their own judgment and instincts, as well as listen to their inner feelings or intuition. Essentially, this means trusting oneself – one's abilities, talents, and artistic vision – while remaining receptive and open to following the path that resonates deeply within them. This approach encourages an authentic and genuine creative process, which can lead to meaningful and impactful results.


"Good art inspires change. Great art changes lives."

This quote emphasizes that exceptional artistic creations can instigate significant transformations, not just in the individual's perspective but also in their overall life journey. Good art is impactful enough to motivate modifications in thoughts or actions; great art transcends this by profoundly altering one's existence. It implies that impactful works of art have the power to inspire personal growth and effect societal change.


"I think it's a natural thing for people to get better at things as they practice."

This quote by Rick Rubin emphasizes the inherent improvement that comes with practice, suggesting that everyone has an innate capacity to grow and excel in their chosen fields when they consistently invest time and effort into refining their skills or knowledge. The message is optimistic and encourages persistence, implying that anyone can achieve mastery through dedication and consistent learning.


"A lot of times, artists know what they want to do; they just need somebody to say yes."

This quote emphasizes the importance of validation in the creative process. Many artists have clear ideas about their artistic direction, but lack the confirmation or support needed to proceed confidently. By having someone who believes in their vision and gives them a 'yes,' they can overcome self-doubt, fear, or external obstacles and fully realize their creative potential.


"The most important part of the creative process is having faith in yourself and trusting your instincts."

The quote by Rick Rubin emphasizes the pivotal role of self-confidence and intuition in the creative process. It suggests that for any individual engaged in creative pursuits, it's essential to believe in one's abilities and trust one's instincts, as they serve as the guiding force driving the creative journey towards its fulfillment. This self-assurance allows artists to navigate through challenges, take risks, and ultimately, bring their unique visions to life.


I always feel like there's something magic in recording studios. There's a reason good music continues to be made in them. It's just some mojo element.

- Rick Rubin

Magic, Reason, Always, Mojo

At 15, I started listening to hard rock and heavy metal, but I would say it was more hard rock because I liked Kiss, Aerosmith, Ted Nugent, and eventually AC/DC.

- Rick Rubin

Listening, More, Metal, Hard Rock

In between 15 and 20 - probably at around 17 - my interests switched from hard rock to punk rock. And then by 20 they were circling out of punk rock back into Black Sabbath, Led Zeppelin, the stuff that I didn't get to when I was younger.

- Rick Rubin

Back, Sabbath, Led, Hard Rock

Everything happens kind of the way it's supposed to happen, and we just watch it unfold. And you can't control it. Looking back, you can't say, 'I should've... ' You didn't, and had you, the outcome would have been different.

- Rick Rubin

Looking Back, Back, Been, Outcome

I've always been an outsider. When I did magic, I was the only kid. When I worked with Johnny Cash, I was completely out of place in Nashville. And when I started Def Jam, I was the only white guy in the hip-hop world.

- Rick Rubin

Magic, Nashville, Been, Johnny

There's just a natural human element to a great song that feels immediately satisfying. I like the song to create a mood.

- Rick Rubin

Song, Natural, Feels, Satisfying

I never made beats to make beats; I only made them when there was a record to make them for. That's one of the things that has changed in hip-hop that's made me like it less. It feels much more like it's a producer-driven medium, where there are all these tracks that are completely interchangeable.

- Rick Rubin

Feels, One Of The Things, Interchangeable

From the time I was 9 years old, I loved magic. I was an only child, and I think that had a big impact on me. I always had grown-up friends even though I was a little kid. I would take the train from Lido Beach into Manhattan, and I'd hang out in magic shops.

- Rick Rubin

Magic, Big, Hang, Train

I was the only punk rocker at my high school. And there were at least a handful of black kids who liked hip-hop. Both were kind of the new music of the day, and it was lonely being the only punk.

- Rick Rubin

New, Handful, Rocker, Hip-Hop

My taste changes radically all the time, and I listen to whatever feels good. Another thing is that I'm in the studio so much of the time, and I listen to so much loud, aggressive music for work, that for pleasure, I'll listen to something else.

- Rick Rubin

Taste, Studio, Feels, Aggressive

I don't know what makes someone hip. The goal is artist achievement and the best work we can do with no limitation.

- Rick Rubin

Goal, Artist, Limitation, Best Work

I played more of an advisory role with Public Enemy. I really trusted them to make the music that they wanted to make, and the way The Bomb Squad worked with the... they created their whole own world of music.

- Rick Rubin

More, Role, Advisory, Squad

Everything I do, whether it's producing or signing an artist, always starts with the songs. When I'm listening, I'm looking for a balance that you could see in anything. Whether it's a great painting or a building or a sunset.

- Rick Rubin

Listening, Artist, Always, Sunset

I like things that are unique and extreme.

- Rick Rubin

Unique, Like, Things, Extreme

I really loved crunk. I loved the extreme nature of it, how repetitious it was, and how these basic, angry chants would just be repeated over and over again.

- Rick Rubin

Nature, Over, Again, Extreme

It's a big theme in my life, learning about myself and being a better person. I'm a work in progress; I have revelations every day.

- Rick Rubin

My Life, Better Person, Big, Theme

I don't even know what a traditional producer is or does. I feel like the job is like being a coach, building good work habits and building trust. You want to get to a point where you can say anything and talk about anything. There needs to be a real connection.

- Rick Rubin

Trust, Good Work, Habits, Producer

I've gotten to work with amazing people. I would say usually we get to a point before we get into the studio where there isn't that sense of anxiety or nervousness of who they are because I don't think it would be as productive in the studio if that was the case. But maybe meeting someone like Neil Young for the first time made me anxious.

- Rick Rubin

Studio, Before, Gotten, Meeting

When you're vegan, you spend your time chasing protein, and you're eating food that's way too high in carbs. I could never catch up on protein.

- Rick Rubin

Carbs, Chasing, Could, Catch

I'm just trying to make my favorite music. That's how I work; I just do things based on the way they feel to me. I want to be touched by the music I'm making. Luckily, other people have shared that response to my work over the years.

- Rick Rubin

Other, Touched, Shared, Response

For me, the Beatles are proof of the existence of God.

- Rick Rubin

Me, Existence, Beatles, Proof

Usually when I start a new project there's a fear of the unknown; maybe it's a band I've never been in the studio with before. People are so different. It's almost like you need to go through the process, discover and unlock what it is that makes that band that band. And a lot of times they don't know it.

- Rick Rubin

Through, Been, Studio, Unknown

I guess edgy things tend to get my attention.

- Rick Rubin

Get, Tend, Guess, Edgy

I think with certain artists you want to hear their album... and then there are other artists who I like where maybe it's more about the single. I don't think there is going to be one way that everything works.

- Rick Rubin

Other, I Think, Works, One Way

I never really think so much about commercial success; I usually just think about records that move me, and 'Baby Got Back' was one that moved me.

- Rick Rubin

Think, Commercial, Move, Commercial Success

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