Rick Rubin on James Blake: "An Artist I Fall In Love With Every Time"

A 2015 interview quote from producer Rick Rubin naming James Blake as an artist whose music he loves "every time" is circulating again after Far Out Magazine revisited the comment in a recent piece. Rubin's original remark credited Blake with reshaping a strand of contemporary production built on heavy sub-bass, sparse hi-hats, and vocals.

What Rubin actually said

Rubin's quote, given in 2015, reads: "A lot of the records now are built around a really heavy sub-bass, maybe a hi-hat, and a vocal. I think that's largely down to James Blake's influence. Among artists, everyone loves Blake. James Blake is so great — I fall in love with him every time I listen." The comment came shortly after Rubin finished producing Kanye West's Yeezus, at a point when Blake was still a relatively new name in the industry.

Why Rubin's endorsement carries weight

Rubin is known for working across metal, hip-hop, and country, with longtime collaborators including Red Hot Chili Peppers and Tom Petty. Far Out Magazine frames his early read on Blake — before Blake's crossover fame — as evidence of Rubin's ear for where production trends were headed.

Blake's path since 2011

Blake's self-titled debut album, James Blake, arrived in 2011 and drew notice immediately. He went on to work as a producer and featured vocalist on Beyoncé's Lemonade and on the Black Panther soundtrack alongside Kendrick Lamar, cementing his standing as a cross-genre collaborator.

What the source doesn't cover

Far Out Magazine's piece is a retrospective look at a nearly decade-old quote rather than news tied to a new release or tour — the article doesn't report any new Blake project, and no upcoming dates or announcements are mentioned.

According to Far Out Magazine, Blake continues to explore new variations on sub-bass in his solo work, extending the sound language that first drew Rubin's praise.