Pharrell Williams Thinks School Doesn't Help People Unleash Their Potential; Says He Spent Most Of The Time In Classroom Not Paying Attention

At 40 years old, Pharrell Williams has accomplished almost everything in life. He's got a beautiful family and a lot of lucrative businesses. He's got award-winning Grammy songs and projects, owns clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear, and other businesses. From a simple living, he now lives a life that most people would want to have.

Despite all these achievements, Williams still think that his education didn't help him get to where he is now. Talking to Fast Company's Mary Kaye Schilling, the American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, fashion designer, and drummer revealed that he didn't have a good time in school. He claims that a visual person like him does not get enough attention from educational institutions.

"The school system isn't spending a lot of time looking for specific potential. We are bred to be worker bees; to grow up, get married, have a kid, drive a Volvo, do our taxes, invest in something, find a hobby," said Williams who is now married to Helen Lasichanh and has a son named Rocket. "I spent a lot of time in school not paying attention."

When he met Teddy Riley, the Grammy-winning R&B producer, he considered himself lucky. Riley caught a pre-Neptunes performance by Williams and his performing-producing partner, Chad Hugo during a high school talent show and signed them when they graduated.

After decades of working on his music, he no longer considers himself lucky. Williams said that it all started because he worked on his craft.

"I'd say, 'Me? Really? Okay, cool!' But then when I looked over my shoulder, I could see that there was a clear path. Someone might say that Teddy Riley building his studio five minutes from my high school was luck. I mean, why leave New York and go there? But I don't see that now."

"Existence is all mathematics, and I see it as me listening to the math that is right in front of me. There's a key for every door," he adds, "and if you can't find it, you can make one. That's always an option."

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Pharrell Williams
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opinion
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life story
the Neptune
Billionaire Boys Club
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