“If you’re not making great art, you’re making commerce.”

Rick Rubin has expressed this idea in various ways, emphasizing the distinction between creating for artistic fulfillment versus creating for commercial reasons. His philosophy suggests that true creativity comes from an internal drive rather than external incentives like money, trends, or audience expectations.

The essence of this quote aligns with his belief that artists should focus on making something meaningful and authentic—if it’s great, the business will follow. But if the primary focus is on business, the result is often uninspired, derivative, or forgettable.