What Rick Rubin taught me about The Creative Act
I’ve always known the name Rick Rubin, and I’ve always known what he looks like — the beard is quite iconic — but I didn’t actually know much about him, other than he’s a big deal in music.
But one day my YouTube algorithm suggested a video from Art Support titled Rick Rubin — How To Stop Overthinking. That title immediately piqued my interest because I am a terrible over-thinker — I will likely write about that in the future. In that video I found Rubin to be surprisingly calm, insightful and honest. I didn’t expect that. That’s my own bias creeping in there — I expected a man who produced some of the greatest rap albums and works with rockstars all day to be a bit more over the top, a bit brash and proud.
I was wrong.
So when I discovered that Rubin had brought out a book (thanks to the People I (Mostly) Admire podcast where Steve Levitt interviews Rubin and really dotes on the book) I immediately downloaded it.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin is a book about the creative process. It is written in a conversational style and is based on Rubin’s interviews with artists from a variety of fields, including music, film, literature, and art, and features his unique views on art making and creativity. It is an honest and beautifully written book.
Who is Rick Rubin
Rubin is a renowned American record producer and founder of several record labels, including the near-mythical Def Jam Recordings. He is best known for his work with hip hop and heavy metal artists, but he has produced albums for a wide range of genres and has worked with some of the biggest names in music, including the Beastie Boys, Johnny Cash, and Adele. He is known for his innovative production techniques and his ability to bring out the best in artists.
A few albums Rubin has produced are:
- Licensed to Ill by the Beastie Boys
- Raising Hell by Run-DMC
- Appetite for Destruction by Guns N’ Roses
- Nevermind by Nirvana
- The Downward Spiral by Nine Inch Nails
- American Recordings by Johnny Cash
- The Eminem Show by Eminem
- The White Album by the White Stripes
- 36 Chambers by Wu-Tang Clan
Rubin is a highly influential figure in the music industry, and his work has helped to shape the sound of popular music for over three decades. He is known for his innovative production techniques and his ability to bring out the best in artists.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
The book is divided into three parts:
- The Creative Process
- The Creative Life
- The Creative Legacy
The Creative Process explores the nature of creativity and the different ways that artists approach their work. Rubin argues that creativity is not something that can be forced, but rather something that happens when we are open to new experiences and ideas. He also discusses the importance of collaboration and feedback in the creative process.
The second part of the book, The Creative Life, looks at the challenges and rewards of being a creative person. Rubin discusses the importance of finding your own voice and style, and of not being afraid to take risks. He also talks about the importance of perseverance and of not giving up on your dreams.
The third part of the book, The Creative Legacy, considers the impact that art has on the world. Rubin argues that art can be a powerful force for good, and that it can help us to understand ourselves and the world around us. He also talks about the importance of preserving our creative heritage.
We tend to think of the artist’s work as the output. The real work of the artist is a way of being in the world. ~ Rick Rubin
Final Thoughts and Key Takeaways
The Creative Act is an inspiring and thought-provoking book that will appeal to anyone who is interested in creativity. If you have ever tried to create something — and that is most of us! — you will find something in this book that speaks to you. There are sections, or ‘areas of thought’, on Self-Doubt, Inspiration, Breaking the Sameness, Inspiration, How to Choose, Self-Awareness and The Art of Habit. It is a valuable resource for artists of all levels, and it is a reminder that creativity is a gift that should be cherished and everyone struggles to create at some point. Just be kind to yourself and remember that art is all about practice.
Some of the key takeaways from the book for me are:
- Creativity is not something that can be forced. It happens when we are open to new experiences and ideas.
- Good habits create good art.
- Insecurity, self-sabotage, and struggles are common obstacles for the artist. You’re not alone.
- It is important to find your own voice and style.
- Hold every rule as breakable. Just because something has been done a certain way before, doesn’t mean you have to do it that way. Experiment.
- Don’t be afraid to take risks and share your art. Feedback, even negative, can be helpful and help you refine your art.
- If stuck, reduce the task to more manageable and focused segments. Completing small tasks creates confidence and you can always circle back once the workload has reduced.
- Collaboration and feedback are essential to the creative process.
