ditions

INSPIRATION
| A social book by |

Pharrell
Williams
And
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3

WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL BOOK

It might seems crazy what youre about to read,
butthisbook isnt like any other.

INSPIRATION is the first book written by an artist,

PharrellWilliams, and rewritten online by a worldwide

community.
By getting this book where you will discover revelations
on Pharrells sources of inspiration. This way you
contribute tohelpPharrells association, which supports
disadvantaged children tohopefully rewrite many
oftheirlives.
We hope youll enjoy reading it as much aspeople
enjoyedrewriting it.

Sponsored by
and
More informations on the project on tippex-socialbook.com

INSPIRATION

Pharrell
Williams

Once upon a time

Just kidding, this isnt

that kind of story.
Its not a fairy tale even
though some days my life
sure feels like it.

PART ONE
Music

I guess you can say this

issort of like an adventure.
Its hard to look at my
musical journey any other
way. I still cant believe
Iget to make music with
some of the most brilliant
artists on the planet. I will
never ever in a million
years get used to that.
I feel blessed each and
every time someone says
they want to make music
with me.

Grateful.
Im from a small town
Virginia Beach, Virginia.
I had no idea all my
dreams would actually
become a reality.

Im not sure
why, but the
universe created
some amazing
opportunities for
me that I managed
not to mess up.

13

Chapter
The ability
tomake music
isa gift.

The ability to share it?

Well, thats a gift, too.
Sharing it with the world
is no guarantee.
You know how many
amazing producers are
out there just waiting to
be discovered? Singers,
MCs and musicians too.
All I have to do is look
onthe Internet for a
simple reminder of all
the great talent out
there. I am no more
special than any of the
others who do what I do.

Every man made

object came by
way of someones
imagination
all physical
manifestations
of epiphanies.
Everything else
is organic and
simply the result
of the universes
mathematics.
15

Feeding
your
curiosity
is key.
A simple conversation
If you hear
could be a creative
something positive
catalyst if you let it.
Youjust have to be open about yourself
to the idea that a deeper again and again,
meaning may exist.
you start to
The conversation may
embrace it.
mean one thing within
seconds, but when you
look back on it hours
When youre aware
later, you may see things ofyour creativity, thats
in a new light.
when you can begin
to use it to its fullest
I didnt know what the
potential.
word creative meant
when I was young.
Before then youre
I never thought what
just stumbling across
Iwas doing was unique. it. This is the plight
A fish doesnt know
ofall humans because
itswet.
everyone has a talent.
I knew a lot of kids in
Its what were all trying
school who did the same to figure out so we can
things I did. They could
live life exactly how
rhyme as good as me,
were supposed to.
ifnot better, others were
superb musicians. I was
happy to just play along,
keep up and participate.
16

This is the reason why we should

encourage children to explore their
interests from a super young age.
If we take a look at what theyre
thinking, all those curiosities they
possess, it will only help them grow
academically and artistically.
We need to help children figure out
who they are and not leave their
development to the odds. Dont we
want the odds to be in their favor?

When you put

children in creative
environment that
challenges their
minds, its the
quickest way to
self-discovery.
The more options for mental stimulation
the better. If two teachers didnt
encourage me to realize how interested
I was in music, I dont know where Id
be today. I always loved learning, but the
methods werent always ideal.
17

I got punished a lot for

daydreaming in class,
but now I realize I
needed an outlet to think
creatively.

Not all kids learn

the same way, but
we often penalize
children for not
following the
rules instead of
trying to figure out
what rules suit
them best.
Im so grateful
myteachers figured
out my love for music
could help me exceed
inschool.

18

Chapter
Making music
isasubconscious thing.
Its crazy to take yourself
to zero and then wait for
inspiration. Lonely. Just
sort of suspended in black
space. All of a sudden
awave comes over you and
you get it. You do your best
to chase it down.
While youre chasing, you cant act
like you know where its going or
else youll change it. If youre like,
Ohyeah, this is so cool, then its
done, over. You wont be able to get
it back. You have to shut up and wait
until the whole thing happens.
I create music not knowing if
its going to be a banger or not.
Thatshow you know it comes from
somewhere else. You can only judge
it once you take a step back and
listen to whats really there. When
youre putting it down, in your mind,
youre seeing the negative image.
You have to step back so your mind

can get used to seeing

the complete picture.
You put down what you
see in your head, but
only when you step
back youre able to fully
see. This is how the
world will experience
it. Theway it sounds
is what everyone else
hears. The negative
image is what we
feel, but we cant fully
express it. You cant
prove or illustrate to me
how you feel; I just have
to trust that I get what
youre saying. But, you
and I can both pinpoint
what were listening
to. When youre putting
down the sound, youre
putting down the feeling.
Thats all youre doing,
youre going off of
feeling. If you take a step
back and listen, thats
when you realize the full
picture of whats there.
19

Chapter
Environmental
stimulation is the
best inspiration.

The crazy thing is Ivebeen doing

that mywhole life but never put it
into words. Ivenever seen myself
work. I dont know what it looks
like when thelightning strikes.
Im sure if you tape aproducer
and his habits youll find formulas
he doesnt even recognize he has.
There are memorized rhythms
to all of our activities every day.
Sometimes even down to our steps.
Its kind of like things you do in your
sleep. Theyre involuntary because
you dont know what youre doing.
You may roll over many times,
butyou dont acknowledge it
because youre not aware youre
doing it. Its so hard to talk about
myself and explain how Ido things.
Its the person who sits on the
sidelines and watches the games
who really knows everything. You
cant play offense and defense at
the same time.

You got to choose

aposition. You
cant be both,
thehunter
andthe bear. If
Im on the offense,
Icant tell you
how Im doing
onthedefense.
I cant tell you what
I look like when Im
creating or performing.
Its like when someone
says, How did I do?
Itsbecause they cant
see for themselves,
they only know from
ourperspective.

20

Sometimes I wake up
thinking about making
aspecific song, but most
of the time the music
is determined by my
environment.
If there are interesting
characters walking
around, they all play a
part. I didnt realize one
sentence, a paragraph,
or a whole conversation
could spark inspiration.
The way a girl moves
her body, her position,
all those things weigh
in, but I never looked
atit like that before.
Ifabunch of females
walk into the studio
and start clapping and
dancing all sexy, then
Im going to make a
certain kind of record.

What a girl is
wearing and
how she carries
herself, Ill take
all of that in. All
those things are
different layers
and colors to
me. Ifthe girl is
waving her hand a
certain way, thats
like one color.
Its fun if she walks
into the studio talking
passionately about
something. It could be,
I just lost 20 pounds,
todays my sons birthday,
I like wearing red lipstick
all day and Ill write
about that.
21

Its like something in

theair turns into a story.
Something is happening.
Its not like everyones
just sitting around
atthe studio saying
wehave to work on this
song. The something
thats happening
iswhat inspires me.
Some people are very
methodical about
making musicdo a
verse, ok lets come up
with a melody, lets do
the hook. I dont like to
work that way. I need to
feel it and visuals help
tremendously.
Whenever I feel stuck
making music, the first
thing I do is go outside
and walk around.
Myfavorite recording
studios are the ones
that allow me to do that
easily. Smelling the air,
seeing random things,
all that is important
tome.

Anything you
concentrate on
canbe a focal point
for your mind to
visualize what you
need to do.
Whether its in the shower or driving
your car, everybodys mind wanders
off. When youre in that place and
you ask yourself pertinent questions,
thebest answers come. Its awesome
when you realize you have that ability.
Nobody or anything on this planet can
take that away from you. Itsaninfinite
source of inspiration tofeel liberated.
Its always about theenergy and spirit
when it comes to creating music.
Im just trying to keep a consistent
fingerprint through the whole thing
present it my way sopeople recognize
me when they see it. You ever notice
how people name their animals?
They name their dog Cuddly for
areason. Its their way. Your way is
who you really are. Thats the distinct
difference between you and everyone
else in this universe.

22

Chapter
Im so honored
Igetto make music
as my career.
Music has been the
skeleton key thats
opened the door for
every opportunity
Ive had. Im 20 years
in and only recently
began to understand
how I create my best
work. Whenyoure on
autopilot, sometimes
you dont realize
what matters most.
Creative people are
often considered crazy,
and maybe we are, but
Ibelieve crazy can be
agood thing.

Crazy forces
youto look at
the world in
anewway, see
whats missing
and create it.

Im not interested in
building what already
exists. Thats just boring.
In order to successfully
think in a crazy way you
need people around you
who handle the basics
so you can dream big.
Thats all I want to do.
I dont want to only live
in reality. Insome ways
many would say this
isa weakness, but its
a strength for me. This
is especially true over
the last year or so. Its
been more of an asset
than ever because Ive
surrounded myself with
people who completely
understand me. They
encourage me to be as
crazy as I want.

23

It took me a long time

to become comfortable
in my own skin. Iwas
confident in the
beginning with N.E.R.D.,
but then sort of lost my
way because I became
disengaged. Everything
started to look and
sound the same. Once
Ifigured out what could
get me back on track,
everything clicked.
Its also when my
real musical journey
began. I wasnt thinking
aboutmaking an album.
Ihadjust gone back in
the studio collaborating
with other artists
because I was excited
about music again.

24

Itwas January 2013

when Iheard Columbia
Records wanted to
meet with me. I had no
idea what they wanted
todiscuss. The label
isfull of legendary
music executives who
really care about music.
They treat it like art, not
just business. All I was
thinking is whatever they
want me to do, Imdown.
I was completely
shocked when they
asked me tomake an
album.

I was so flattered
Columbia wanted to sign
me. Its a record label
thats super eccentric,
a place that encourages
individuality. It felt good
to hear they wanted me
to join their roster.

The whole conversation

from our meeting is mostly
a blur, but I do remember
them saying Get Lucky was
going to be the robots first
single. Mind you, at that
point, I didnt even remember
what the song sounded like.
Literally not one note. Iwas
really jet lagged going
into that recording session
with the robots and to be
honest, I swear they zapped
mymemory or something.

The OTHERS.

Theyre home
tothe weirdoes,
artists who
dont fit into any
category.

Ive never really fit in

in my whole life. Even
when the Neptunes were
first making noise in
the late 90s, we often
couldnt convince artists
we worked with to let
us appear in the video.
And I dont blame them
we were weird! I think
they were especially

nervous Id show up in
some wild clothes and
they were right. Mystyle
was a curse for years
(case in point: trucker
hats, skinny jeans,
unconventional footwear,
etc.); it took along time
for people toaccept me.

25

When this label opportunity presented

itself, it felt different. I wasnt thinking
about making an album so the fact
that I was asked immediately dictated
my approach. The first thing that
came to my mind was, Oh, I know
exactly what I want to talk about.
Sometimes you need to go away
andfind subject matter.
Find an album direction, inspiration,
but I didnt need to do that for this
one. I was so appreciative for the
opportunity. I just purely cleared
mymind. What is there to talk about?
So much

26

PART two
Girls

Girl is where we comefrom,

girl isoursurvival,
girlisourdisseminator,
girlisourorigin,
girlisourlight, girlisourpower
andgirlistheworlds pleasure.

29

Chapter
Existence is privilege.
Women are my biggest
inspiration.

The intelligence
they gather
andcollect over
the years, the way
they utilize what
theyve learned
and their way
of doing is their
fingerprint, their
identity. Itsthe
way they do
things that make
them individually
special. Theyre
myobsession.

Ive always had crushes

on older women and
for girls that were
my age or younger,
itwas about their fire.
Butthose older women?
Man, those women
its like there was some
sort of magnetism or
something. Those older
women were simply
nice to me, but my mind
would always wish it
were sexual. There were
a couple of times where
one was flirtatious,
nothing happened,
but whoa. I think
thats theres where
my fixation just really
crystallized.
31

Sometimes I feel my fascination

with females is almost like
achemicalthing.
Maybe its whatever experiences
Iwent through, but certain visuals
just strike achord for me.

I never liked
theregular girl
walking down
thestreet. The girl
with the perfect
face and perky
boobs wearing
thestilettos.
Ijust like whats
different.
I would be more inspired
by the girl with some
cartoon leggings
than the onewearing
theshort, tight dress.
Whether its my female
friends or girls who
catch my attention in the
world, theres something
about them that moves
me. Itslike the nerdy
32

girl in class, yeah

everyone makes fun
of her, butits because
shes the smartest and
does all the unorthodox
stuff. Thatswhats
interesting, whats
inspiring to me. Anything
generic makesme run
away.

Certain females can

make me weak with
their beauty, intelligence
and strength. Even
memories of them can
do this for me. Thats
why all thesongs on
myalbum were inspired
by their complexity
and trigger various
emotions. The music
isfor everybody, but my
inspiration was women.

Isnt like half

ormaybe even 75%
of the music thats
ever been created
about girls?

33

Chapter
Human beings
needto jam.

I think more than

anything else, Im just
cutting out all the fat
and really pinpointing
the specific inspiration.
The cool thing about
this music is anyone
canrelate to it.

I want everyone
to dance and just
feel good. I miss
seeing people
let loose at
parties instead
of documenting
every moment with
their cell phone
camera.

I tried to make the

music warm and red.
Heart colorjust pure,
no filter. I kept my eyes
closed when making
the album. I didnt want
anyone to show me
anything. Ive seen that
process kill people.
Ijust went with what felt
good. I think everybody
should do that right now.
Theres a shift going on
in music right now.

The best songs

are the ones that
connect with
humanity in some
way. If you close
your eyes, youll
immediately know
if it sounds right.
35

Chapter
As much as women
aremy inspiration,
Imno expert.

I would never claim

tohave all the answers
about them, but I know
females dont want
tobe classified. Theyre
individuals and if youre
going to love one, shes
got to feel like shes the
only one of her kind.
Labels dont define her.

Its empowering
to watch a woman
liberate herself
from chains.
Why be held
byanything you
dont really agree
with?

At the end of the day

you run your life, youre
thedictator of what goes
down unless you give
thepower to someone
else. The good news
is were living in a day
where women know this
more than ever. Itsso
clear for the women with
great intentions. Theres
a level of sophistication
in the way they say what
they have to say.

They speak
volumes
while
whispering.
37

I dont believe in
good or bad girls.
You need both
elements.
It all depends on how
you want to look at that
glass. Whether you
say its half full or half
empty, or whether a
girl is good or bad, its
your perspective. If you
want her to be bad, then
shes bad, but that girl
has some good too. If
you want her to be good,
then shes good, but at
some point, you also got
to know theres some
bad in her too.You need
both to establish who
you are.

38

Nothing is 100%
andwho would want
that? All good with
nobad? You need both.
The Internet is
connecting people
onanother level. I think
thats why there are
somany uprisings all
over the world. People
are seeing how others
are living and its
affecting them. It was
a huge milestone when
the ape looked into
the water and saw his
reflection. That was big.
Up until then they were
just busy being. When
they saw what they
looked like, they started
thinking about things
differently. Thats what
were dealing with right
now.

Were at a time
where women are
like, I cant believe
I let this negativity
rock like this for so
long, no, absolutely
not, no more.
Theyre getting
their just due and
refusing totake
anything less.
39

You cant hold

down the mother
ofhumanity.
Countries that oppress
women? Those places
arefacing inevitable
change. I dont mean that
in a negative way, but their
time will be up. You cant
continue to hold women
back. Its not always men
whowant to knock them
down, but a mentality.
There are women with
broken minds who
possess these negative
views as well. With each
generation, anything
oppressive will eventually
get broken down. Right
now women know more
than ever they have the
power to feel free. Its
awesome to see the ones
who understand that and
have the ability to set
others free too.
Think about a world
where there are no
oppressed women.
Thats a very different,
different place.
40

If all the women

inthe world
decided they
werent going
towork tomorrow
or to have children,
they would shut
down our economy
and ecosystem.

How can anyone deny

their power? When
women are uplifted its
astatement to humanity.
Picture a female
president in the United
States. Imagine that
all the late night talkshow hosts are women.
Envision female athletes
making just as much
money as men.

There are more women

running corporations.
The most celebrated
painter in the art world
is a female. Women
goto Mars first.
Visualize that world.
Itsbeautiful.
I know well live to see
it, its right around the
corner, not decades
away.
41

Chapter
Happy.

I just think women do

everything better. Maybe
because theyre born
leaders, but things just
go more smoothly when
theyre involved. Ijust
feel more atease when
theyre around me.
I know Im not the
only one who sees
this female shift
happening. My album
is just a whisper, like
aforeshadowing of
thechange I see on
thehorizon.
I know my love for
women has helped
define who I am. Inmany
ways, this album is my
42

thanks tothe female

species. Its kind of like
a love letter to women,
not only from me, but
also from any man (or
woman) who loves them
as much as I do. Ihope
females feel good,
proud of who they are
and confident in their
own skin when they
listen tothese songs.

A liberated woman is
awoman who marches
to the beat of her own
drum, happy, satisfied
with who and what
she is. She has figured
out away to service
humanity. These women
are our moms, sisters,
aunts, daughters, wives
and friends.
We owe it to the
universe to make sure
these women are
happy. Its everyones
responsibility to make
sure we do everything
in our power to make
sure every female has
the ability to make her
own choices without
fear. Its everyones

right to feel that kind of

freedom. Weall deserve
happiness and I want to
live in a world where all
people can experience it.
Ive seen what joy can do
on a small scale and its
infectious.

Being happy
inspires us
tomake the best
choices.
The more people making
great choices, the
more we benefit as a
community. Thats the
world I want to live in.
Happy women can lead
this charge.
43

Is it any surprise I love

seeing females in the
audience at my shows?
Its a rush to see them
having a good time
when Im performing.
Theres energy there. No
colors, just a connection,

avibe. Its like were all

physically connected
to the music at that
moment.
This idea inspired the
interlude on my album
called Freq.

Its short for frequency

and myintention was
to create something
the audience could
participate in. Its
almost like abreathing
exercise, ameditation to
really ascend to ahigher
frequency musically.
Iknow its ambitious,
butIwanted to try.
I hope the song can
push everyone to some
wavelength up above.
I envisioned the females
when I created Freq
since thats who
motivates me, but every
listener is welcome
totake their own ride.
44

While youre up there

catch some inspiration,
see a vision, work out
a problem, get some
guidance, feel the love.
Connect, ascend and
dominate.
Some people become
entranced by music if
they listen long enough.

People underestimate
that thing that
makes them run to
the dance floor when
areally great song
comes on.
Ever notice theres
always somebody
who gets up and goes
crazy? That girl who
really wants to dance,
like, Man, this is my
jam. The drums are
beating; the bongos
are heavy, what makes
you so sure something
didnt hypnotize her to
the dance floor? Like
something inside her
just reacted toit. All

Im saying is there
was an impetus for
that reaction; it was
because of something.
The music! If a woman
likes what youre
saying and is really
into the music, then
why couldnt she hear
something through
escapism? If she lets
her mind wander off,
perhaps shell find
some new insight.
45

Im not saying the

music is going to give
you any answers, but
maybe itwill spark
something.
Its hopefully music youd want to
listen toover and over again. I tried
tomake some ofthe beats on the
album feel hypnotic. Theidea that
someone could let go while listening
to my music isjust so cool to me.

Part three
Life

Ive played my part

behind the scenes for
solong, its a bit strange
to be out front by myself.
I wanted to be an artist
in my teens, but when
itdidnt work right away
I gave up. I allowed the
rejection to scar my
ambition and crush my
dreams. I cringe when
I think about the time
I jumped on a record
company executives
desk during an audition.
He took a phone call
while I was rhyming
so I felt I needed to
do something to get
his attention. I cant
help but laugh at what

that must have looked

like. Needless to say,
he wasnt impressed.
There were other label
meetings, but they
all led to nowhere.
Since producing
music was going well
at the time, Iput all
my concentration on
that instead. I know
everything happens
fora reason, and it just
wasnt time. I needed
allmy experiences,
all my grown man
perspective, to become
the artist I am today.
Iknow exactly who Iam
and what Im trying
toaccomplish.

Music is art and if you

dont have something
tosay, whats the point?

49

Chapter
I believe the
universe gives
you all the signs
youneed.

If you pay attention,

you will easily find your
rightful path. How many
times has something
happened in your
life that just seemed
destined? Something
told you toturn down
that street and you
just happened to run
into your best friend.
Yourandomly decided to
go to some party andyou
meet your future boss.
Orsomething in amovie
inspired you to do
something that ended up
being the best decision
ever.

I dont think
anything in life
is a mistake. Even
the drama, pain
and struggle
are all part
ofthe process.
All artists find
inspiration in the
dark. If youre
scared of the
dark, then youre
not an artist.
Its not the only
place, no, but at
night when the
lights are out,
before yougo to
sleep, itsjust
awonderful
place to think.
Now that may be due to
the fact youre about to
go to sleep, but thats
like saying an artist is
not inspired by walking
outside on a beautiful
night. The nighttime is
beautiful, the stars are
there and its obvious
inspiration overload.
51

If you look at
everything like
an opportunity
tolearn something
new, youll always
be one step ahead.

We can sit around all day

and wonder why were
put on this earth. Or, we
can stop wondering and
actively start living. Isnt
that the best way to find
answers? I dont like
sitting idle or anything
thats safe. If it feels
risky and completely
opposite of whats going
on, I gravitate towards it.
I feel a pull, something
in my gut that tells me
to go there. I dont feel
fear, just excitement. Its
why I love collaborating
so much. Working
with people who know
more than you is such
a powerful place to
genuinely learn about
yourself.
52

Ive tried my best to

inspire others to learn
from my journey.
Icreated my company
i am OTHER as a way
to connect people who
share my vision for the
world. I know Im a bit
ofa weirdo, but arent
we all?
Were all unique
inour own way, but
were encouraged to
come together for

Put yourself
in new
situations
where youre
not the
expert.
I never feel self-conscious
working with masters
intheir field. Imforever
a student and will always
surround myself with
people who know more
than me. I think its
obvious Iwouldnt be who
I am if all those people
didnt share valuable
lessons with me.

oursimilarities instead
of our differences.
Sitme next to the
person at the dinner
party whos lived a
completely different life
from mine. I dont care
if they study insects
for a living or dress as
a clown for childrens
parties. I know I can
learn something from
them that I can apply
tomy life and work.

Some may only feel

comfortable with
people who feel
familiar. Ijust
think thats a
tragic way to live.
Its much more fun
tohave conversations
with people who
live inaworld thats
opposite from yours.
Iespecially love people
who are rule breakers,

who avoid anything

safe. Ive tried to bring
those kinds of people to
the i am OTHER family.
Whether its music,
film, television, fashion
or art projects, our
goal is always to create
something new.
The world needs people
who strive to create
things that bring a smile
to humanity. If it fits the
i am OTHER manifesto,
then Im all in.
53

Whenever I say thank

you, I always put my
hands together. Its to
let you know where
it all comes from. Its
as iftosay this is an
antenna, beaming into
that strand of creativity
we all get to tap into
from time to time.
Everybody can tap in.
Thats how you get the
same idea as somebody
on the other side of
the earth. Youre both
tapping in at the same
time. If youre paying
attention, youll see
certain rhythms to how
the world works. Ifyou
notice whats going on,
you sort ofknow where
things will go.
People do that all
thetime with football,
basketball or whatever
sports theyre watching.
They can tell when
their favorite team
is not going to have
a good game. They
analyze the rhythm
ofhow theyre playing
and how it will impact
theirperformance.
54

10

Chapter
The process to create
issimple when your heart
is completely open.
Life is the same
way. When you look
for something in
the future, you
have togo there
mentally.
When youre tapping
into that ethereal level,
things seemingly come
from oblivion but theyre
not. This is a source
we all have access to.
When I put my hands
together to say thank
you, Im also thanking
the universe and God
because I know Im just
a vessel.

Fear is
creativitys
kryptonite.
Scare tactics dont work
for me, and I refuse
to believe they truly
work for anyone else.
I dont want to think
about possible negative
consequences when
Im creating. I want my
creativity fueled bywhat
feels good, notby what
I think could have
success. The rules for
winning change all the
time, theres no one
set formula. I dont
want to sit around with
a calculator furiously
banging on the keys.
Thats never worked
for me. I guess in

some ways you can say

Imsort of a hippie.
Ijust dont like rules
orbeing placed in a box.
Freedom means alot
to me. Stories about
people feeling trapped
depress me, it just
feels so unnecessary.
Even if your reality if
stifling, your dreams
arenot. Ifyoure working
towards them with
tunnel vision, I believe
you can shift your
perspective to a more
open place. Visualization
can inspire in ways that
seem impossible.

Nature can often

spark imagination
in ways you didnt
expect.
55

I feel really good about

the future. Imespecially
proud of my new
music and cant wait
to share it with the
world. Im totally not
the best singer, more
of a crooner, but I
really try my hardest
at expressing myself.
Ive learned toaccept
when people say they
appreciate my voice.
Ivebegun to believe they
hear something. Inever

I know it seems hard

to believe, but Itook
my first real vacation
in 2013. It was the first
time I really turned
off (ok, sometimes
Ichecked my phone),
and it was such an
illuminating experience
for me. I had nothing
todo, but relax and
completely let go.
I didnt realize how
important stillness
isforyour health.

Something
happens when
you stare at a
pitch-black night
flooded with the
brightest stars,
listen to the
waves crash and
breathe the air.
Everything around me
seemed like magic.
I felt connected with
the earth in a new way,
and it surprised the
hell out ofme. When
56

youre alone with your

thoughts, its mindblowing to see what
kind of things pop into
your head. I felt like
acomputer downloading
important files, ones
that I desperately
needed, but didnt know
were there. I know
Illnever take natures
technology for granted
again.
Whether its on anisland
or in a local park,
everyone needs to make
time toallow nature to
push therestart button.

intended to be asinger.
I originally sang on the
demos ofsongs out of
necessity. Somebody
had to sing the lyrics.
Inever imagined artists
would want to leave my
voice on the song. When
those songs went on to
become hits, I still didnt
think I necessarily had
a future in singing. Im
honored the people have
shown that someone like
me could be an artist too.

I know Im on the left

side of the road and Ive
accepted that in my age.
Im a quirky guy.
Ive always known it,
butnever really worn it.

57

The time is now.

59

WELCOME TO THE SOCIAL BOOK

It might seem crazy what youre about to read,
but this book isnt like any other.

INSPIRATION is the first book written by an

artist, Pharrell Williams, and rewritten online

by a worldwide community.
By getting this book where you will discover
revelations on Pharrells sources of inspiration.
This way you contribute to help Pharrells
association, which supports disadvantaged
children tohopefully rewrite many of their lives.
We hope youll enjoy reading it as much
aspeople enjoyed rewriting it.

Sponsored by
and
More informations on the project on tippex-socialbook.com
60

ISBN 9791093816067