Pharrell Talks Meditation, Mentorship, & Creative Methods
As evidenced in our special digital issue with Pharrell Williams that went live today, the iconic musician and Louis Vuitton men's creative director is having a moment. The always-moving innovator is about to give a look back at his origins in the new film Piece by Piece: an unorthodox retelling of his career, animated, and using LEGOs.
In conversation with best-selling author and award-winning journalist Michael Harriot, Williams delved into his creative ethos, his life and career, and his status at the center of all things culture. But it wasn't all serious... Williams was able to take our official This-or-That? super quiz (e.g. “Apples or oranges?”; “Morning vs. night?”; “Roses vs violets?”). Because sometimes it’s the little things that tell you the most about a person as talented and prolific as Williams. Let’s get into it.
Minimalism or maximalism?
I'm both. I'm minimalism at first glance, maximalism when you zoom in. That's my whole ethos. Because I feel like we're in a generation that is spoiled for that. When you take a photo or you screenshot something, what's the first thing people do? They zoom in. I always feel like I'm maximalism with the fine details, but I'm minimal when you first see it.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. That's when I'm getting my workout in. That's when I'm thinking my most cohesive, clear, uninterrupted thoughts. And un-interruption is a huge, huge thing. Having the clarity and the space to just sort of stress test things to myself and see what matters to me, and allow things to appeal to me on their own timing, that's the sunrise.
Meditation or yoga?
Meditation. But I do want to get into some form of stretching, whether it's yoga or Pilates. Stretching is definitely a part of youth, it's limberness. But meditation first, for sure.
Hip-hop or soul?
That varies. There are moments where hip-hop sort of homogenizes itself. I feel like for two to three years, music just sounds the same. Then something peeks its head out and decides it wants to be a little bit different.
Concerts or jam sessions?
Oh, jam sessions for sure. I love the creation part. I hate going out and performing. It's taken me a long time to realize that. And look, I mean, there's a good feeling when you're on stage and you're in front of the people, but everything that leads up to it and everything that is after the performance is a lot. All the travel, being in different hotels, after you're done having to pack up and leave, you've got to take a shower as soon as you get off... all like... Man, who'd want to do all that?
Vinyl records or digital playlists?
I'm for both.
Paris or New York?
Paris, for me, I can't say Paris for everybody. There's a lot of things that are there that I like. One, the creative space and the resources that I've been given, the platform that I've been given has just been an honor and so inspiring, and a responsibility. But then at the same time, it's a very, very, very old city. The architecture's there, just the wealth of knowledge that is there too, that one can tap into at any point, at any juncture, and there's never been a better time to be a Black person in power and given platform. But that's not afforded to everyone, and I'm very clear on that. And that's why I know my job is to hold the door open.
Innovation or tradition?
Innovation. I often... I'm a little disrespectful to convention sometimes, but that's because I'm always looking for the new. And by the way, that comes with its side effects. I'm not the best historian. I can't tell you what year I did this or what year I did that. I can't tell you at which point this happened or that happened. I'm just not good in that way. I've always leaned forward. I never really look over my shoulder. I'm terrible at it.
Big ideas or small details?
Both. We need them all.
Mentorship or self-discovery?
They're both very important. I think to mentor is to pass the torch and in some instances, to even light the fire. But then self-discovery is like... It's amazing and I've had so much in the last two years. I don't even know who I am.
