Joe Rogan Experience #1881 - Rick Rubin

Comedy & Music

Rick Rubin shares his journey from music to comedy, highlighting the profound influence of comedians like Rodney Dangerfield and Sam Kinison on his creative process. He recounts his experiences of discovering and collaborating with Andrew Dice Clay, whose performances at the Laugh Factory left a lasting impression on him. Rubin's collaboration with Dice led to the creation of the iconic comedy album "The Day the Laughter Died," recorded at the peak of Dice's career when he was selling out massive venues like Madison Square Garden 1. Joe Rogan draws parallels between comedy and music, noting how both art forms can transform large arenas into intimate experiences. He emphasizes the different approaches artists take, from meticulous planning to spontaneous improvisation, similar to the varied methods of musicians like Eminem and Jay-Z 2.

   

Sampling Evolution

Rick Rubin discusses the evolution of sampling in music, particularly its foundational role in hip hop. He explains how early hip hop artists used snippets of existing records to create entirely new compositions, a process that was initially misunderstood by the mainstream music industry 3. Rubin recalls the raw energy of early hip hop clubs, which he sought to capture in his recordings, contrasting them with the more polished R&B-influenced records of the time. His approach was driven by a desire to document the authentic sound of the clubs, despite lacking formal training, which ultimately contributed to the genre's unique development 4.

   

Artistic Crossovers

Rick Rubin reflects on the groundbreaking collaboration between Run DMC and Aerosmith on "Walk This Way," a project aimed at bridging the gap between rock and hip hop. He describes how the song's familiar beat was already a staple in hip hop clubs, despite Aerosmith being unknown in that scene 5. The collaboration initially faced resistance, with radio audiences divided over the fusion of genres. However, the song quickly became a hit, illustrating how innovative crossovers can challenge perceptions and create new musical landscapes 6.