Malala Yousafzai
Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Laureate in History | UN Messenger of Peace | Co-Founder & Executive Chair, Malala Fund
Rick Rubin
Legendary Music Producer | Co-Founder of Def Jam Recordings | 9-Time Grammy Winner | #1 Bestselling Author of The Creative Act
Rick Rubin is one of the most influential music producers of all time and one of today's most original thinkers on creativity. A co-founder of Def Jam, nine-time Grammy winner, and #1 bestselling author of The Creative Act, he has shaped modern music from hip-hop to Johnny Cash to Adele. On stage, he offers the hard-won wisdom of a creative legend, and a liberating new way to see your own work.
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Rick Rubin biography
Rick Rubin is one of the most influential and acclaimed music producers of all time, and one of the most original thinkers on creativity alive today. Across four decades he has shaped the sound of modern music, from the birth of hip-hop to landmark records in rock, metal, country, and pop, guided not by technical wizardry but by an almost spiritual gift for helping artists find the truest version of their work.
Entertainment speaker Rick Rubin co-founded Def Jam Recordings, founded American Recordings, and served as co-president of Columbia Records. A nine-time Grammy winner, including two Album of the Year awards, he helped launch hip-hop into the mainstream with the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, LL Cool J, and Public Enemy, then went on to produce genre-defining work for artists as different as Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Adele, Jay-Z, and Ed Sheeran. Named by Time one of the 100 most influential people in the world, he is famous for a counterintuitive method: he doesn’t play instruments or work the mixing board, but instead creates the conditions in which great artists do their best work.
The Creative Act: A Way of Being
In 2023, Rubin distilled a lifetime of working with creative geniuses into The Creative Act: A Way of Being, an instant #1 New York Times bestseller that became one of the most beloved books on creativity ever written. Far more than a music memoir, it reframes creativity as a way of living available to everyone, artist or not, and has found devoted readers among leaders, entrepreneurs, athletes, and anyone whose work depends on original ideas. Through his Tetragrammaton podcast and the acclaimed documentary Shangri-La, named for his legendary Malibu studio, Rubin has continued to explore how attention, intuition, and getting out of your own way unlock the best work. His insights translate strikingly well beyond the studio, offering a profound perspective on innovation and the creative process for any audience.
As a speaker, Rick Rubin offers something no conventional business expert can: the hard-won wisdom of a creative legend who has drawn greatness out of others for forty years. He speaks on the creative act as a way of being, cultivating creativity and originality, leadership as creating the conditions for others to excel, and staying true to a vision amid noise and doubt. Audiences leave seeing their own work, and their own creativity, through an entirely new and liberating lens.
Rick Rubin Speaking Videos
Rick Rubin Shares His Secrets for Creativity
Rick Rubin on Creativity and the Universe
Rick Rubin Keynote Topics
Drawing on his beloved bestseller, Rubin shares the philosophy of creativity he developed across four decades and hundreds of iconic records. He reframes creativity not as a rare talent but as a way of living open to everyone, and offers audiences a profound, practical, and liberating perspective on how to notice more, trust their instincts, and bring original ideas into the world.
What does it actually take to make something great? Rubin explores the habits of mind behind original work, presence, deep attention, openness, and the courage to follow intuition over formula. He helps audiences understand the real sources of creativity and how individuals and teams can create the internal and external conditions where breakthrough ideas emerge.
Rubin is famous for producing legendary records without playing a note, his genius lies in drawing the best out of others. In this talk he reframes leadership itself: not as having the answers, but as building the trust, focus, and environment in which talented people do the finest work of their lives, an idea with deep resonance for anyone who leads a team.
In a world of noise, metrics, and second-guessing, how do you protect what matters? Rubin reflects on serving the work rather than the market, resisting distraction, and holding to an authentic vision under pressure, lessons drawn from guiding some of the greatest artists of our time through moments of doubt, reinvention, and risk.
Speaker topics
FAQs on Booking Rick Rubin
Why Rick Rubin?
Booking Rick Rubin brings audiences a genuine cultural icon, and an utterly distinctive voice on creativity that no traditional business speaker can replicate. As the co-founder of Def Jam, a nine-time Grammy winner, and the producer behind era-defining records across every genre, he has spent forty years drawing greatness out of the world's top artists. His #1 bestseller The Creative Act made his philosophy essential reading far beyond music, for leaders, entrepreneurs, and creators of every kind. Calm, profound, and quietly mesmerizing, he offers not tactics but a transformed way of seeing creativity, work, and leadership. He is an ideal speaker for events on creativity, innovation, leadership, and the creative process. To bring Rick Rubin to your next event, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
Who is Rick Rubin?
Rick Rubin is an American record producer widely regarded as one of the most influential in music history. He co-founded Def Jam Recordings, founded American Recordings, and served as co-president of Columbia Records. A nine-time Grammy winner, he has produced landmark albums across hip-hop, rock, metal, country, and pop, for artists including the Beastie Boys, Run-DMC, Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Slayer, Jay-Z, and Adele. In 2023 he became a #1 New York Times bestselling author with The Creative Act: A Way of Being, and Time has named him one of the 100 most influential people in the world.
What is Rick Rubin's book The Creative Act about?
The Creative Act: A Way of Being is Rick Rubin's #1 New York Times bestselling book, distilling his decades of experience helping artists create their best work. Rather than a music memoir, it presents creativity as a fundamental part of being human, a way of paying attention to and engaging with the world, available to everyone, not just professional artists. Through short, meditative chapters, Rubin explores where ideas come from, how to nurture them, and how to get out of your own way, making it a touchstone not only for musicians but for leaders, entrepreneurs, and anyone doing creative work.
What topics does speaker Rick Rubin cover?
Rick Rubin speaks on the creative act as a way of being, unlocking creativity and originality, leadership as creating the conditions for others to excel, and staying true to an authentic vision. His talks suit events on creativity, innovation, leadership, culture, and the creative process. To book Rick Rubin as a speaker, contact Aurum Speakers Bureau.
How to book Rick Rubin as a keynote speaker?
Aurum Speakers Bureau can help you book Rick Rubin as a speaker for your next event, conference, or board meeting. Simply fill out our contact form to inquire about Rick Rubin's availability for a speaking engagement. One of our booking agents will respond to your request immediately and contact the speaker to let them know you want to hire them. We will assist you with obtaining speaking fees, booking information, and confirming availability for Rick Rubin or any other top keynote speaker or celebrity of your choice.
How much is Rick Rubin speaking fee?
Rick Rubin speaking fees are determined by several factors, including the event's date, whether it's a virtual or in-person event, the duration, format, preparation required for their speech, and more. The same applies to the cost to hire any other top expert speakers and celebrities. The Speaker Fee Range listed on our website is simply a guideline and is subject to change without notice. If you would like to hire Rick Rubin to deliver a keynote speech for your event, please fill out the contact form or email us at info@aurumbureau.com with as much detail as possible. One of our experienced agents will get in touch with you and let you know exactly how much it will cost to book Rick Rubin.
How can I contact Rick Rubin?
We only work with Rick Rubin on paid speaking engagements. Aurum Speakers Bureau can assist you in booking Rick Rubin and will handle all negotiations, contracts, and logistics associated with having Rick Rubin speak at your event. We will be your sole point of contact throughout the process. Get in touch with Aurum Speakers Bureau today, and we will reach out to any motivational speaker or celebrity you want to enquire about speaking at your event. If you wish to contact Rick Rubin for any other reason, we will be unable to assist you as we are not authorized to provide personal contact information.
Can I book Rick Rubin for a virtual keynote?
Yes, Rick Rubin is available for virtual keynotes and webinars. To book Rick Rubin for a virtual event, please complete the contact form or send us an email to inquire about the special fees for virtual engagements.
