Chuck D praises Rick Rubin following his self-deprecating comments: “Rick feels you out in a sea of others wanting the same thing”
Rick Rubin said he has “no technical ability” in an interview with CBS earlier this month
Images: Pascal Le Segretain and Frank Hoensch / Getty
Public Enemy founding member Chuck D has come to the defence of esteemed producer Rick Rubin following his self-deprecating comments on his musical ability and technical knowledge.
- READ MORE: FINNEAS to Rick Rubin: “I look at the breadth of your career, and I see you as a master delegator”
In an interview with CBS’ 60 Minutes, released earlier this month (January), Rubin had told host Anderson Cooper that he “barely” plays any instruments, and that he does not know how to use a soundboard or mixing desk. He then said, “I have no technical ability, and I know nothing about music.”
The comments had shocked many given his respected status in the music industry, but Chuck D has argued that Rubin’s most impressive ability is that he can “feel you out in a sea of others wanting the same thing”.
He wrote on Twitter, “On Rick Rubin I will tell you this. Art is what you feel no one should tell you what Art should come out of you. He gets that… Rick feels you out in a sea of others wanting the same thing.”
On Rick Rubin I will tell you this. Art is what you feel no one should tell you what Art should come out of you. He gets that. Many artists want things in exchange for their art from love to money. A whole other thing. Rick feels you out in a sea of others wanting the same thing.
— Chuck D (@MrChuckD) January 20, 2023
Rubin had worked with Public Enemy since the early days of the Def Jam record label. He’s credited for executive production and mixing on the group’s debut album Yo! Bum Rush The Show, which was released in 1987.
You can watch the clip of Rubin speaking with Cooper below:
rick rubin is our socratespic.twitter.com/fb4V6Fbmqr
— Gonzalo Nuñez (@gonzalo__nunez) January 16, 2023
Chuck D’s appearance on 60 Minutes also sees him continue to praise Rubin: “He didn’t pioneer the production, he didn’t pioneer the rap. But he pioneered a certain energy for it to be daring,” he says. Watch the clip below:
Rick Rubin’s impact on hip-hop includes signing Chuck D, co-founder of Public Enemy.
“Rick Rubin is one of the pillar stones of hip hop,” Chuck told @andersoncooper, “he didn’t pioneer the rap, but he pioneered a certain energy for it to be daring.” https://t.co/7nXd6D4jbJ pic.twitter.com/87n9y156KZ
— 60 Minutes (@60Minutes) January 16, 2023
