Rick Rubin, one of the most legendary and influential music producers of our time, has taken the world by surprise with his latest admission. Despite his massive list of successful collaborations with iconic artists, such as Johnny Cash, Metallica, and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Rubin confesses to Anderson Cooper in a recent 60 Minutes interview that he has "no technical ability and knows nothing about music."
While many might assume a producer of Rubin's caliber to be a musical virtuoso, the self-proclaimed "decider of what he likes and doesn't like" says otherwise. Instead, Rubin emphasizes the importance of clear decision-making and a strong connection to one's creativity. Before the interview, Rubin requested that Cooper participate in two minutes of meditation, which Rubin claims helps "clear distractions and allow for a direct connection to the creative force."
In Rubin's eyes, the role of a producer is not about technical proficiency, but about guiding and inspiring the musicians he works with. He claims to accomplish this by carefully listening, offering thoughts and opinions, and creating the right environment for an artist's creativity to flourish.
While Rubin's philosophy may be divisive, it has earned him a devout following among some of the world's biggest musicians. Anthony Kiedis of the Red Hot Chili Peppers calls Rubin "the end all of listeners" and credits his success to his remarkable ability to "hear things."
Rubin further explores his unique perspective on creativity in his recent book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, where he writes "the true instrument is you." Despite his unconventional approach, Rubin continues to be one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry, proving that sometimes it's not about how you do it, but about the final result.
Check out the full 60 Minutes interview on CBS' website to delve deeper into Rick Rubin's creative process.