Meet Christopher Rucks: Video and Music Producer
Christopher Rucks (aka “Chris”), is an entertainment, media, and tech professional based in Brooklyn, NY. His background has significant breadth, but his work has always been anchored by creativity and the communication of ideas.
After graduating from the University of Michigan, Chris began his journey creating video content for multiple artists across Atlanta. He also began his foray into music production, which would introduce him to music tech and pave the way for self-publishing his book, Don’t Make Beats Like Me, for the music producer market. Following a six-year sting in Atlanta, Chris moved to Chicago and worked at a music tech startup, holding positions across A&R, marketing, and content strategy.
Chris has been an author, marketer, screenwriter, music producer, A&R, and a music video producer. He’s worked at a law firm, a few scrappy music startups, a fintech company, and a social media giant.
Currently, Chris enjoys practicing wellness, reading, learning chess, and putting together puzzles with his wife. He loves to travel, having visited eight countries so far. He meditates regularly, enjoys vigorous conversation, and searches NYC for great cocktails and exceptional tacos.
Dare we say… Chris Rocks?!
Learn more about Chris below:
How would the person who knows you best describe you?: My mother would describe me as focused, powerful, creative, special
What brings you joy?: Evolution and growth. Meditation. Video games. A deep laugh with my wife. Travel. Publishing words. Victories at work. Sunrise. A walk in the Prospect Park. Realizing what I've accomplished. Finishing a good book
If you could learn only one magic spell, but it could only do something mundane and boring, what would the spell do?: I'd magically be able to shift my paradigm to positivity and courage whenever I think negative or fearful thoughts.
What was your best drop the mic moment?: I don't think I've had a drop the mic moment. if you're speaking about conveying a powerful idea, I'd say when I published my book.
What are some of your personal principles?: Wellness, physical health, integrity and righteousness, hard work.
What are some goals you’d like to achieve in the next year?: Paying off me and my wife's student loans, maintaining a healthy weight, complete marriage counseling, start a yoga class, begin my first therapy sessions, travel somewhere incredible, read 30 books...
Who has been your biggest inspiration so far, and why?: Probably my mother who was able to change the narrative of her own life and eventually go on to become an ivy league alum, a well respected professional, and financially secure for the rest of her life. She's changed the family tree for all of us coming behind her.
What would you say to your younger self based off what you know now?: Fear not. Try, do, fail, do again. You can. Stay healthy. Don't waste your time with women you know you won't marry. Trust in your gifts, they will take you far.
Who matters most in your life?: My wife, my mom, my sister, my dad
What does friendship mean to you?: Truth, support, vulnerability, camaraderie.
What is your favorite book and why?: Fiction - the Great Gatsby; as a lover of words, the book struck me as a young man and has always been a favorite. Nonfiction - The Alchemist; I love how it shows how the journey of success can be so challenging, but even in our challenges we're being primed for success. It's about shifting perspective - everything serves you in the long run.
What does brotherhood mean to you?: That's hard to say. I'm not sure I've really experienced brotherhood. I think it carries with it a depth that goes far beyond friendship and it's something that I'm interested in discovering now.
Share with us some of the dreams you wish to accomplish: I want to maximize my time on this planet. I've got books in me, screenplays in me. I've got places around the world I want to see. I've got a business in me. I have the mastery of my profession within.
What has been your biggest accomplishment to date?: Avoiding mediocrity, which could have very easily been my reality.
What has been your best volunteering experience?: I've had some great opportunities to speak to high school kids on various topics and impart some things I've learned along the way. I think it's imperative to provide vision to the youth when possible.
What is something that you’re struggling with?: Feeling like I belong at work. I work with some of the brightest people in the world. It can hard for a black man to fit in (or any man, but especially a black one).
How do you keep yourself motivated?: I spend a ridiculous amount of time in the company of good books, podcasts, speeches, quotes, and articles. I inundate myself with positivity.
What is the most interesting piece of trivia you know?: When you're a bookworm, you're full of seemingly useless facts. Can I recall any right now? Of course I can't.
Did you have a mentor growing up?: Yes, my dad!
Have you ever been a mentor to someone else?: Sure, whenever I can.
Do you feel capable of mentoring someone else, and if not why?: I do, perhaps more on an informal basis though.
What movie do you wish life was more like?: Life already feels like a movie.
What are some business/professional goals you have?: I just started a new gig and when I hit my 1 year anniversary, I want to be remarkably better at my craft than I am right now.
What are some of the personal goals you have?: Maintaining a healthy weight, consuming an 85% vegetarian diet
What made you want to become a Mastermind Connect member?: I was looking at the schedule and saw a group book discussion of one of my favorite books: The Way of The Superior Man. I thought, "Oh boy, if this is the kind of stuff they're talking about, I must be in the right place!"
How do you see Mastermind Connect helping you grow?: Iron sharpens iron. Right now, the right community is essential in helping me connect with other like-minded men and build to become the best man I can be.
What do you want your legacy to be?: I want to be known as a man of love, someone who inspired, educated, led by example.
What childish thing do you still enjoy?: Toys!
What would your 8th Grade favorite teacher say about what you were like back then?:
What is your motto?: W.E.IT. - Whatever it takes
Do you make other people uncomfortable sometimes, and why?: I don't think so.
When did you realize you were no longer a kid (please elaborate)?: In the first week of college when I was walking home and the sun was coming up behind me.
What’s not to love about you?: Nothing
Who or what is your nemesis?: Fear
What long shot have you taken that really paid off?: Moving to New York from Chicago
What were you really into when you were younger but now think is silly?: Caring what other people think
What is the highest pressure situation you have experienced and how did you handle it?:
If you could add 4 hours to your day, what would you spend that 4 hours doing?: 1 - study, 2 - write, 3 - exercise, 4 - connect with a friend
What’s something you were really stressed about, it turned out to be no big deal?: Most things we get stressed out about turn out to be nothing.
What three events made the biggest impact on who you are today?: Going to Michigan for school, deciding that I wasn't going to be a corporate suit, trusting the universe when it sent me the right woman.
What is something that most people get wrong about you?: That I'm mean.
What’s the biggest doubt you have?: None. I can do it!
What do you think you know a lot about but probably don’t?: Music
If you died today, what would your greatest achievement be?: That the people I left behind would mourn me and think of me often with great memories.
What stories from your life will you tell your children about (assuming you have children)?: No children yet
What did you think was silly until you tried it?: Drinking green drinks.
When you are daydreaming, what do you dream about?: Building the life I see in my mind.
What signs make you think someone will go on to be successful?: Grit - their willingness to suffer difficulty in the pursuit of something greater.
What have you done wrong for most of your life and only recently found out the right way to do it?: Eat food. We're brainwashed with notions of a proper diet. It's all bullshit. I'm just now discovering what food really is.
How does your definition of a “real man” differ from the mainstream stereotype of a “real man”?: I think a real man is a man who is vulnerable, who can express himself, who can open up and say what he feels and why.
If time wasn’t an issue and you had forever to master a skill, what skill would you master?: Screenwriting
What’s the best bad decision you’ve made?: Nothing comes to mind. But all decisions, good or bad, move us toward our purpose.
