My Favorite Teacher I’ll Never Meet: Rick Rubin
If you’ve ever heard of the Beastie Boys, Run-D.M.C., Metallica, and Red Hot Chili Peppers, then you’ve already felt Rick Rubin’s influence. He is widely known as the co-founder of Def Jam Records and has worked with some of the biggest names in music history, transforming the music many of us (and our parents) grew up on.
Fangirling over his music career alone would be enough, but what really makes him stand out to me is his take on creativity and his endless curiosity. I like to think of Rubin as my favorite teacher I’ll never meet because his wisdom reaches far beyond his presence.
Photo by Thibault Lam Tran on Unsplash
A Curator
Rubin isn’t the typical music producer. Some argue he’s not a ‘real’ music producer because he doesn’t focus on the technical side of making music. But that’s the point! He’s less concerned wtih formulas and more focused on curating experiences for artists that’s spiritually in tune, intangible, and ineffable that creates their best music.
It’s no wonder he can work with artists across genres. He’s not limited by what a producer “should” do. I used to think a music producer just made beats for a singer or rapper, but Rubin takes it to another level. He’s like a music doula, tuning into the soul of the music and guiding it to life.
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A Knowledge Seeker
Rubin’s podcast, Tetragrammaton, is my favorite because he brings on guests from all walks of life, driven by his curiosity and the desire to share it with the world. His archives range from ‘unexpected’ voices in film, like Marlon Brando and Alfred Hitchcock, to modern innovators like Perplexity AI co-founder Aravind Srinivas, along with leading figures across health, science, art, fashion, and entertainment.
But the conversations that resonate most with me are his interviews with figures in psychology (Esther Perel) and music (Pharrell Williams) because of my interest in psychology and the nostalgia of growing up with Williams’ music. Every episode leaves me with something new to learn and makes me wonder how Rubin decides who to interview next.
Photo by Lucas Santos on Unsplash
A Guide of Creativity
Rubin’s book, The Creative Act: A Way of Being, has become my creativity guidebook. Each page is insightful, concise, and easy to absorb. Rubin reminds us that creativity is an inherent part of the human experience and that inspiration flows from a universal source accessible to everyone.
While many of his ideas were familiar to me, the way he frames them through his perspective feels fresh and impactful. His words gives me confidence in my identity as a creator and motivates me to show up for my writing practice daily by reminding me to be mindful and value the intangible forces that fuel creative growth.
Some of my favorite quotes from his book include:
“Art creates a profound connection between the artist and the audience. Through that connection, both can heal.”
“There’s a time for certain ideas to arrive, and they find a way to express themselves though us.”
“If you start from the position that there is no right or wrong, no good or bad, and creativity is just free play with no rules, it’s easier to submerge yourself joyfully in the process of making things.”
