It’s not the Kite, It’s the Air

Having to describe the music of contemporary rap music artists like JAY Z or Daft Punk, truly makes me the fish out of water. The compositions seem too foreign for me to appreciate beyond the pulsating rhythm and hypnotic cadence of its lyrics.  I am too embarrassed by my ignorance to describe the genre even further.

However there is an artist, Pharrell Williams, who caught my attention. This was not so much because of his current megahit “Happy” from Despicable Me 2, but because of this young man’s insights and humility.  He got me thinking.

In an interview several weeks ago on CBS’ Sunday Morning (my favorite network show), Pharrell was asked about being in the spotlight.   The question was asked because he is not known for being a headliner but, as he puts it, always a guy next to the guy.   In truth, his contributions to music are certainly noteworthy.  As a songwriter and performer, he has played major roles in the 2013 successes such as Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”.   As a producer, he has been involved in hit songs by Millie Cyrus, Kendrick Lamar, Beyoncé and JAY Z.

He never fit into a box as he also said.  In fact, his production company is called the House without A Roof.  He is smart, pleasant, well spoken and versatile.  Besides the music, he is a clothing designer and is marketing his trademark park ranger hat. 

When asked about his meteoric success, he did not take even the smallest bit of credit. When pushed, Pharrell mentioned the high school band teachers who were inspirational and provided him the skills and knowledge that helped him get where he is today.  When pressed about his talent and asked what he is best at, Pharrell looking puzzled by the question, said that as soon as a person figures out what they are best at, they will fail.  To paraphrase him, when people start believing that their success is because of only themselves, they become “delusional”.  In reality, success is due to so much more then individual talent.  It is primarily due to the support and encouragement of others.  In Pharrell words, “It's not the kite, it's the air”. 

Interestingly enough, on another Sunday Morning show that aired on July 6^th, Robin Thicke was interviewed.   The success that Robin had with “Blurred Lines” didn’t have quite the same paralleled good fortune as Pharrell’s success.  You see, Robin’s wife, Paula Patton, left him.  In fact, according to Robin in an interview with Hot 97 ….. “I changed and I got a little too selfish, a little too greedy and a little too full of myself.”   Perhaps Robin might have been better off heeding Pharrell’s advice.  

The moral of the story ….. Before you become too self-absorbed in how great you are, hear those words ever so softly …... “It is not the kite, it is the air”.  What a beautiful way to describe that aspect of personal success.  No matter how successful we become, there are always others that have played a major role in that success.   I am sure you can list a few.  Better yet … can you be the air to another’s kite?