Def Jam Recordings cofounder Rick Rubin, 63, says his success wasn’t built on constant inspiration but on discipline—what he calls being a “lazy workaholic”—and on getting to the final product even when the process feels boring. Speaking on the “David Senra” p
Rick Rubin’s studio life, he says, didn’t run on hype or heroic bursts of energy—it ran on showing up, forcing himself to do it, and refusing to quit.
On Sunday’s episode of the “David Senra” podcast, the Grammy award-winning record producer and cofounder of Def Jam Recordings, as well as founder of American Recordings, looked back on what drives great artists and why consistency has been key to his own success.
“I don’t like to quit. I like to see things through. When I start something, I like to see what it can be,” Rubin told podcast host David Senra.
Despite the calm, zen-like public image many people associate with him, Rubin said he’s someone who works a lot—even when he doesn’t feel like it. “I’m a lazy workaholic,” Rubin said. “I have to force myself to do it. But I do force myself. My demeanor would be to do nothing.”
For Rubin, the motivation isn’t the grind for its own sake. It’s what comes after, when the work turns into something shareable. “That’s the point. So. I love the beautiful thing. and it takes a lot of work to get to the beautiful thing. ” he said. adding that it’s “a great feeling” when he can share the music he helped create with the world.
There are days, though, when even he feels the friction. “But all of the work up until then, it’s like, ‘Oh my god, I have to go to the studio today,’” Rubin said.
Rubin described how his life has been shaped by long hours in New York City focused on music. “It’s like, the beautiful day—wouldn’t it be nice to just go out and have lunch with friends?. But my whole life has been. you know. most of my life in the first 25 years was in a dark room for 16 hours a day. 7 days a week in New York City. working on music. ” he added.
He also acknowledged that parts of the creative process can be dull. “Rubin said parts of the creative process can be ‘boring. ‘ and there are times when he’d ‘rather not be there.’” Still. he pointed to the most addictive phase of making music: the shift from nothing to something real. “But the most addictive part of making music is the ‘moment of revelation. ‘ when a project suddenly goes from ‘nothing to something really good. ‘ especially after a long stretch of trial and error. ” he said.
Rubin used Eminem as an example of the kind of discipline that can look relentless from the outside. He previously described Eminem as the “most obsessive artist” he’s ever worked with. and in this conversation he returned to that idea. “It feels like his entire life is centered around writing words. He’s totally preoccupied with that. So, he always has a notebook. He’s always making little notes,” Rubin said.
He recalled a conversation where he asked Eminem whether the writing in his notebooks was meant for a new song. “He’s like, ‘No, I’m just like keeping active, keeping active in the skill set,’” Rubin said, recalling the rapper’s response.
Even with that kind of intensity on display. Rubin said diligence and discipline are essential to greatness without forcing every successful artist into the same template. “Work ethic is always a part of it. but for some people. work ethic is the reason they are who they are. And there are other people who are just incredibly talented and have enough work ethic to get over the finish line. ” Rubin said.
The way Rubin frames it—discipline as a bridge from effort to finish—echoes other business-minded views on drive. Selena Gomez. who founded Rare Beauty in 2019. previously said her grandpa taught her the importance of being early: “My papa used to say. ‘If you are on time. you’re already late.’ So that means I get to places 30 minutes before. or my team has had to trick me because I show up so early. but I like to be prepared. and to say hi and not be rushed. ” she said.
And Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has said he runs the company seven days a week, describing what powers him as fear of failure. “I have a greater drive from not wanting to fail than the drive of wanting to succeed,” Huang said, adding that he’s “always in a state of anxiety.”
Rick Rubin Def Jam Recordings American Recordings David Senra podcast work ethic discipline Eminem studio creative process Rare Beauty Selena Gomez Nvidia Jensen Huang