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Rick Beato10 July 2025

AI Bands, Spotify, TikTok & The Death Of Songwriting - Rick Beato - #965

0Frameworks
7Insights

Insights & moments

The myth-busts, hot takes, explainers, and tools worth keeping.

Myth Buster· 1

Myth Buster00:30

Why Cortisol Isn't Making You Fat

The guest explains that cortisol is often wrongly blamed for causing belly fat. In reality, cortisol plays a complex role in metabolism and stress response, but it's not the direct cause of weight gain many assume it to be.

  • Cortisol is frequently scapegoated for belly fat accumulation.
  • It's a stress hormone with multiple physiological roles beyond fat storage.
  • Weight gain is more likely due to insulin resistance, diet, and lifestyle than cortisol alone.
  • Misunderstanding cortisol leads to ineffective health strategies.

“Cortisol does not cause belly fat.”

guest · 00:30
#hormones#metabolism#health myths#cortisol

Hot Take· 1

Hot Take37:30

Music Is Too Easy to Make — And That's a Problem

The guest argues that digital tools have made music production too accessible, leading to homogenized sound and fewer professional producers shaping records, ultimately diminishing sonic diversity.

  • Digital modeling amps and DAWs create uniform sounds across genres.
  • Fewer professional producers are involved in modern recordings.
  • This leads to a lack of sonic experimentation and dynamic range.
  • Homogenization makes it harder for artists to stand out.

“Music is too easy to make and too easy to consume.”

guest · 37:30
#music production#technology#sound quality#digital audio

Explainer· 1

Explainer01:00

How Sleep Apnea Wrecks Testosterone

The guest details how untreated sleep apnea disrupts hormonal balance, particularly by reducing testosterone production during sleep, which is critical for recovery and overall endocrine health.

  • Sleep apnea interrupts deep sleep phases when testosterone is naturally produced.
  • Chronic oxygen deprivation suppresses testicular function.
  • Men with sleep apnea often show clinically low testosterone levels.
  • Treating sleep apnea can significantly improve hormone profiles.
#sleep#testosterone#hormonal health#sleep apnea

Story· 1

Story21:30

The Story Behind Johnny Cash's 'Hurt'

The guest recounts how Rick Rubin played Nine Inch Nails' 'Hurt' for Johnny Cash, who initially dismissed it due to its dissonant chords, but later recorded a haunting version after hearing a stripped-down demo.

  • Johnny Cash initially disliked 'Hurt' because of its unusual chord structure.
  • Rick Rubin created a simple demo to showcase its emotional potential.
  • Cash connected with the song after hearing the new arrangement.
  • His final performance was emotionally powerful despite declining health.
#music history#Johnny Cash#Rick Rubin#song interpretation

Q&A· 1

Q&A02:00

What Most People Don't Understand About Pop Songwriting

The guest addresses how most pop stars don't write their own songs, with professional songwriters and producers often crafting the music behind the scenes, contrary to public perception.

  • Most pop songs are written by teams of professional songwriters.
  • Artists often contribute only ideas or vocal performances.
  • The illusion of artistic authorship is maintained for marketing purposes.
  • This has been common since the 1950s but is less understood today.

“Most pop songwriters... have very little to do with their songs other than choosing them.”

guest · 03:00
#music industry#songwriting#pop music#artist image

Tool· 1

Tool91:00

11 Labs: AI Voice Cloning Tool

The guest discusses using 11 Labs to clone his own voice for content creation, demonstrating how AI can replicate vocal performances with high accuracy.

  • 11 Labs allows voice training using sample recordings.
  • It enables realistic AI-generated speech in the user's voice.
  • Used for B-roll narration and idea testing without re-recording.
  • Raises ethical questions about voice ownership and consent.

“I trained it on my voice... now it's sending me results back with the close mic when the thing's done with the distance.”

guest · 92:00
#AI#voice cloning#content creation#11 Labs

Takeaway· 1

Takeaway24:00

The Modern Pop Star's Real Value Is Marketing

In today’s music landscape, an artist's primary value often lies not in musicianship but in their ability to generate attention through social media and viral moments.

  • TikTok virality often determines a song's success more than quality.
  • Artists like Tate McRae leverage self-made content for promotion.
  • Being famous before releasing music is now a key advantage.
  • Athleticism and performance matter more than songwriting skill.
#TikTok#music marketing#pop stardom#social media