Elon Musk and Music
Elon Musk is a polymath who has mastered many different technological worlds, but his relationship with music remains an enigma. The famed Tesla and SpaceX CEO was apparently an aspiring rapper in his youth, and even shared his songs online under the name ‘Eddy-X’. Although Musk has not released any music for many years, there have been many reports of him having a strong appreciation for hip-hop and rap music.
Musk’s affinity for rap has, however, been tempered by his occasional clashes with certain figures in the industry. For example, Musk was embroiled in a feud with award-winning rapper Azealia Banks in 2018 over his involvement in the ‘failure’ of the Boring Company’s tunnel project. The two celebrities traded insults, referencing a number of rap songs in the process.
It is also possible that Elon Musk has taken a more active approach to music — actively listening to it and adding it to his playlists. As part of his infamous ‘sameness challenge’, Musk claimed that he listens to the same ten rap albums over and over. This includes G-Eazy’s When It’s Dark Out, Kid Cudi’s Man on the Moon, Nas’ Illmatic and Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor II.
Musk’s choice of music has of course been used to explain aspects of his character, from his trendsetting style to his galvanizing effect on the tech industry. But the question of whether Elon Musk actively listens to music still remains. What is clear, however, is that Elon has a passion for it and is determined to explore its depths — both as a fan and potentially as an artist.
Is Music Intentional Listening?
To answer this question we must take into account Musk’s rigorous schedule, insane workload and the various activities vying for his attention. Elon’s schedule starts early and ends late, often with back-to-back meetings and no breaks in sight. Though it is obvious that he values some forms of entertainment, such as video games, it is unknown whether music-listening falls into this category.
If Elon does find time to tune into some tunes, it seems as if it would have to be intentional: he must ‘intentionally’ take the time out of his busy day to engage with the music. This means shifting focus from work and turning to a psychological and physical experience of listening to an album or song. Musk’s ten favorite albums could be seen as a kind of coping mechanism for stressful situations, enabling him to take a break from the world and recharge.
Indeed, there is evidence that music-listening can be used to help cope with stress. Several scientific studies have found that music has the power to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol in the body. Additionally, the production of dopamine — the ‘pleasure’ hormone — is increased when we listen to music. Thus, it is not unreasonable to suggest that the value of music-listening is intentional and necessary for those with busy and demanding lifestyles.
Soundtracks To Success
Elon is no stranger to success, and his appreciation of music may be an integral ingredient in this success. A common belief among successful people is that there is a correlation between productivity and music-listening: the idea being that having a soundtrack playing in the background can help spark creativity and productivity.
This seems to fit Musk’s own approach to success, as he is hugely prolific with his business ventures, having founded multiple companies and funded a number of initiatives dedicated to solving global problems. It could be argued, then, that music is an essential part of his business life – a form of sound that encourages creativity and focus.
Perhaps, then, Elon Musk has embraced music not just as an artist, but as an enabler of productivity. By incorporating certain songs into his workflow, he can increase his focus and concentration and dip into more creative realms of his subconscious.
Music in Everyday Life
It’s not just business success that Musk may be considered a master of. He is also a high-profile figure in popular culture, and as such, he is an example of how to incorporate music into our everyday lives.
Most of us have some kind of music playing in the background much of the time, from our car radios to our MP3 players and Spotify. Music helps create ambiance and can even become a kind of comfort for us — whether it’s a song that brings back pleasant memories or one that relaxes us after a stressful day.
This is not to say that we should emulate Elon Musk’s taste in music, as his taste is certainly ‘unique’. But as an example of how music can be an important part of everyday life, Elon offers a positive example of how music can be amalgamated into our busy lives in order to add a little extra sparkle here and there.
Musk in Popular Culture
Elon Musk’s personal brand has taken on a life of its own in the popular media. His eccentricity and passion for innovation have made him a household name, and he has become a lightning-rod for industry and celebrity alike. This is partly due to his ability to think outside of the box and create products that are as innovative as they are practical.
As his influence has grown, so has the influence of his music tastes. His taste in rap has become quite well-known, and he has even been known to post songs on his Twitter account. His endorsement of certain albums and songs has not only made them more popular, but has also created an environment where rap music is embraced more readily by mainstream audiences.
In this sense, Elon Musk can be seen as an ambassador for rap music. He has helped introduce newer generations to a genre of music that they might not have been exposed to otherwise — and in doing so, he has helped create a more diverse and eclectic musical landscape.
A New Music Experience?
Although Elon has solidified himself as one of the most important figures in the music sphere, his impact on the industry is far from over. In recent months, he has announced plans to create a new company called Neuralink, with the aim of producing a device that will provide users with a direct connection to the internet via their brains.
Many have speculated about the potential implications of this technology, but one could assume that it could potentially change the way we experience and interact with music. As Elon himself has noted, Neuralink could allow users to experience music not just with their ears, but with their entire bodies.
Whether this glimpse of the future is ever realized is yet to be seen, but it’s clear that Musk has an insatiable curiosity and a vision for the future of music. As he continues to innovate and explore new technologies, Elon Musk may yet bring us a new and exciting way to experience and interact with music.
Conclusion?
At the end of the day, it seems that Elon Musk is a bit of an enigma when it comes to music. He is believed to have a great appreciation for it, having released a few rap songs in his youth. But whether or not he actively listens to music remains a mystery – as does his potential to disrupt the industry with a new technology.
What we do know is that he values music enough to have it as part of his routine. Whether for laboring away at his desk, giving him a break in between meetings, or helping him create new ideas, Elon Musk’s relationship with music is one that holds a special, emotional place in his life.
