An Incomplete History of Rick Rubin
One of music’s most influential producers
The first time I heard of Rick Rubin was from a YouTube video I ran across about Rubin’s work with System of a Down on their song Chop Suey. (1) Lead singer Serj Tankian struggled to think of lyrics for the song’s bridge, so Rubin suggested he choose a random book from his library, open it to a random page, and read the first phrase he saw. According to Serj’s account, the passage read, “My father into your hands I commend my spirits.” The sentence aligned with the song’s meaning of self-righteous suicide and strengthened it by adding a religious connection. This story demonstrates the power of creativity and remaining open to unexpected sources of inspiration. It also demonstrates Rubin’s ability to empower artists to discover inspiration from outside forces and within if they allow it to happen.
Rick Rubin is one of music’s most influential and successful producers. After beginning his career producing music in his dorm room at NYU, Rubin went on to work with some of the biggest stars in music, including Jay Z, Slayer, Adele, Kanye West, and many more. His unique approach to empowering musicians to discover their potential sets him apart from other producers who typically aim to force a specific formula into their work based on what is popular at the time. Rubin’s creative genius…
