I recently came across a video exploring Pharrell Williams’ thoughts on creativity, collaboration, and how he’s managed to stay relevant, curious, and inspired over such a long and varied career.
This video hit me right between the eyes, not because it was full of flashy production or hyped-up motivational fluff, but because of how quietly powerful and grounded his perspective was.
I want to share some of the takeaways that really resonated with me, both as a songwriter and as a human navigating a creative life.
Creativity Isn’t Something You Own
One of the first things Pharrell talks about is the idea that we’re not the source of our creativity. We’re more like conduits. He compares it to checking books out from a library, some days you’ll be drawn to one thing, other days something else. But the point is, these ideas don’t come from you; they come through you.
That blew my mind a little. It lines up with how I often feel when a song seems to “write itself.” Those moments are rare, but when they happen, it’s like I’m not really doing anything, I’m just getting out of the way.
Pharrell calls these moments “commissions from the universe.” The art that comes from them often ends up meaning more to the people who hear it than the artist could have imagined. And that sense of wonder and humility? It’s something he leans into, rather than tries to control.
Self-Awareness and Letting Go of Ego
Pharrell admits he didn’t always feel confident. A lot of what he did early on came from instinct, not ambition. But as time passed, he started to see how important self-awareness was, not just for navigating the music industry, but for handling the internal storms too.
He talks about going from overcompensating with arrogance to embracing humility. I relate to that. It’s easy to get caught up in our own press, to start believing we’re the “book” rather than just a comma in the sentence.
His view is refreshingly grounded: when we realize we’re not the centre of everything, we can actually understand what our real role is. And ironically, that shift in perspective makes the work better. When ego steps aside, honesty steps in.
Curiosity vs. Distraction
Here’s a line that really stuck with me:
“Complacency kicks in when your distractions get louder than your curiosity.”
How true is that? I’ve felt this in my own life more times than I care to admit. Social media, deadlines, even just general noise from the world, these things can drown out that quiet internal voice that says “What if…?”
Pharrell says that when you kill the distractions, your curiosity starts shouting. You start asking questions, imagining new combinations, trying weird ideas just because they feel exciting. And that’s when the magic starts happening again.
The Importance of Being Present
Linked to that is the idea of presence. The video’s creator makes a point about how in today’s high-noise world, just being present with our creative work is a real challenge. But it’s also essential. You can’t shortcut it. You have to show up fully if you want to make something that matters.
I’ve found that presence is where the joy is, too. The process itself becomes the reward, regardless of what comes next.
Pharrell the Collaborator
The second half of the video zooms in on Pharrell’s role as a collaborator. He says he doesn’t go looking for people to work with just to tick a box, each collaboration starts with a spark, a sense that “this feels right.” And once that feeling is there, he goes all in.
He talks about approaching collaboration as service, his job is to use his instincts and skills to pull the other person into new territory. He doesn’t bulldoze their ideas. He nudges, pokes, prods, and coaxes something new out of them. It’s about contrast, experimentation, and mutual trust.
And trust is key. When someone works with Pharrell, they have to be willing to step into the unknown, to let go of what’s safe. That’s how true innovation happens.
The Dangers of “I” Culture
He also calls out the “me, me, me” mindset that’s so common in fashion, music, and other industries. When we start thinking we’ve done it all ourselves, we lose the chance to grow. Pharrell says that opening up (thinking we instead of I) is where the breakthroughs happen.
That spoke volumes to me. Collaboration isn’t about diluting your vision. It’s about sharpening it by bringing in perspectives you wouldn’t have found on your own.
Lessons From the Industry
Pharrell doesn’t sugarcoat the business side, either. He’s clear: if you only know music but not business, someone will take advantage of you. And vice versa, if you’re business-savvy but creatively empty, you’ll get ripped off in a different way.
Understanding both is essential, especially in a world where contracts and copyright can make or break an artist’s livelihood. That’s a lesson every independent musician needs to hear.
Don’t Stop Creating
Even if you’re stuck in a bad contract, Pharrell says, don’t stop making music. That’s not the solution. Keep going. Keep creating. That energy is what carries you forward, and it can’t be taken from you unless you hand it over.
He reminds us that we all have the right to make something that reflects our own sense of beauty, no matter how small the audience might be. Not everyone will love it, and that’s okay. But making it, working on it, seeing it through, that’s what matters.
Doing What You Love
Finally, Pharrell hits on something that’s so often lost in the hustle: the goal isn’t money. Money is necessary, yes. It buys us time and space. But it isn’t the point. The point is doing what you love, every day, in whatever form that takes.
If you love music, you don’t have to be the headliner. You can be the writer, the producer, the roadie, the studio owner, the sound engineer. Whatever keeps you close to the thing you love, that’s a good life.
Watching this video felt like sitting in on a quiet, honest conversation about what it really means to live a creative life. It’s not about chasing trends, hits, or trophies. It’s about being present, staying curious, and remembering that we’re all just a small part of something much bigger.
That perspective doesn’t just inspire better music, it inspires a better way of being.
If you’ve got a moment, I really recommend watching the full video and checking out the newsletter and podcast the creator mentions. It’s thoughtful stuff, and it’ll give you plenty to chew on creatively and personally.
Let me know if any of this resonated with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Peace,
Corey 🙂
