Whatever or however way you first discovered the infinitely cool Pharrell Williams, chances are it was the type of introduction that left a lasting impression.

Over 20 years into an unparalleled career, the Virginia-born native redefined pop culture as many times as he’s reinvented himself, in the process carving out a significant place for himself in musical history.

From attaining his first co-writing credit on Teddy Riley’s “Rump Shaker” to redefining pop’s sonic aesthetic throughout the 2000s, Pharrell has proven himself to be, beyond a time traveler, a visionary and contextual curator with a finger on the pulse of now and tomorrow.

Buddy talks making of ” Shine,” Compton, and ‘roller coaster’ debut plans

As he continues to be such a source of inspiration, whether through sound and words, we celebrate P’s birthday today (April 5) in the most fitting way possible: an archive of his essential quotes. Like him, these lines are ageless.

“Don’t wait for the stars to align, reach up and rearrange them the way you want… create your own constellation” — Twitter (2013)

Your browser does not support HTML5 video.

“Victory comes from more than prayer and good deeds; it also can come through patience and long suffering”

“Life is a lesson… It’s a series of adjustments and you have to start to recognize the signs” — “Oprah Prime” (2014)

“Happiness is not about the trophy, or the finish line. It’s the journey. If you enjoy your journey, you can enjoy your life”

“If someone asks me what inspires me, I always say, “That which is missing,” because I don’t want to copy everything that’s already happening. I feel like when you copy, you blend in, and when you blend in, you get lost”

“There is no breathing human being on this planet that did not benefit by a woman saying yes twice… Yes to make you, and yes to have you. Point-blank. If women wanted to cripple the economy, all they gotta do is not go to work” — GQ (2014)

“In order to do great things, you must be unafraid to recreate yourself. You can’t do that holding on to a glory from yesterday.”

https://media.giphy.com/media/3oEduIOpXCpGxagbQY/giphy.mp4

“There are no mistakes or accidents. The present is malleable. Influence the odds. Free will is your pen, write your life” — Twitter (2014)

“There’s a key for every door, and if you can’t find it, you can make one. That’s always an option.”

“Wealth is of the heart and mind, not the pocket”