OMR HAMBURG 2024
My Learnings and my experience at the OMR Festival in Hamburg 2024
Part One. Rick Rubin.
Where to start… what a day. Last two days, actually. What a roller coaster ride.
Let’s switch it up this time. Let’s begin at the end. Rick Rubin.
I just came out of a talk with Rick Rubin and Aria Nejati.
Honestly, I told myself to have no expectations, just go with the flow this time (mind you, I’m a recovering former perfectionist), so I attended the last talk of the OMR Festival 2024 on that day, and it was none other than the Def Jam Recordings Founder himself.
You know, the guy who produced and worked with Jay Z, Metallica, System of a Down, RHCP, Aerosmith, Adele, Lana Del Rey, Kanye West, etc. The list goes on. Well, I was impressed.
The whole conversation was a constant challenge to rethink our own paradigms. A big compliment to Aria Nerjati for the good conversation.
One thing that happened during this talk is that I truly questioned my limiting beliefs. Allow me to elaborate – sometimes we are so terrified of failure, whatever that means for each of us, that we willingly put ourselves in these tiny little boxes and remain there for the longest time. I am an expert in this.
“Our purpose here is to share the way we see the world. That’s the gift.” said the Def Jam producer and one of the most interesting people alive, in such an effortless and self-evident way.
“Me thinking it’s good has nothing to do with what anyone thinks – it doesn’t matter.”
Come again? It doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks? What are you talking about, Rick Rubin? Is this allowed in the world we live in? Is this possible on social media, not caring what others think?!
One thing I know for sure is: People do care what others think. People often live their lives according to other people’s opinions and expectations. What do you mean it doesn’t matter?
“You know, it’s nice when other people like it, it’s great. But I wouldn’t change it for someone else to like it because then I wouldn’t like it anymore. The best chance to make something good is to make something you love.”
Wild applause filled the huge room.
Sounds so profound, doesn’t it? Yet, how many of us live our lives by it?
“My job in the studio with the artist is to help them ignore any voices that are not working on their behalf to make the best thing they can make. That’s their job. And my job is to protect them. The most important thing we can do is make the best work we can, and if we do, everybody will be very happy.”
Each of us has a unique point of view, a unique way to see the world, and we must gain the confidence to express ourselves. No one sees the world from our point of view until we share it. No one else could be in our place and have our experiences – not our friends, not our lovers, not our parents, and ESPECIALLY NOT AI.
We’re so afraid of making mistakes, and “sometimes the mistake is the best idea,” says Rick Rubin. I’ll take that home with me. What a day. Thanks, OMR.