Why Doesn't Chasing Success Ever Lead To Success?
Timeless Lessons From 9th Wonder
I've held onto this interview for a few years because it’s packed with wisdom and insight. We decided to share it with our team this week, and I wanted to distill the key lessons here.
9th Wonder is more than a legendary hip-hop producer; he's a pioneer in the industry and his influence has shaped the sound of modern hip-hop. From his early days with Little Brother to working with icons like Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Erykah Badu, his impact runs deep. But 9th Wonder’s influence extends beyond beats—he’s an educator, teaching the history and culture of hip-hop at Harvard and Duke. His work continues to inspire, showing us how art can bridge the old and the new. Here’s a few timeless lessons from a podcast recorded in 2018:
You Are Not What They Think You Are. You Are Who You Know You Are.
9th Wonder began his career selling beats for a few hundred dollars. His style was different and unconventional, often misunderstood or labeled by the industry, much like an athlete with a unique playing style being called "mid-major."
Just because your approach is different doesn’t mean it’s wrong. 9th Wonder’s beats didn’t fit the mold of what was considered mainstream, but that uniqueness is what eventually set him apart.
Focus On What You Can Control
Dreams and goals are important, but they aren’t always within your control. 9th Wonder understood that attaching emotion to things outside of his control wasn’t sustainable. The key is to invest energy in what you can influence—your craft and how you treat others.
Purpose Over Outcome — Rather than being driven by external validation or impressing others, he was motivated by the quality of his work and his daily habits. When you focus on the work itself, the outcomes take care of themselves.
"Watch the Toes You Step On"
Respect Everyone — “Watch the toes you step on because you never know the leg they’re attached to.” 9th Wonder understood that every person matters, and every encounter is an opportunity. Treat everyone with respect, regardless of their status.
Be a There You Are Person, Not a here I am person — Consistently showing humility and respect—whether in a conversation or a handshake—creates a reputation that opens doors.
Chance Favors the Well Prepared.
A chance encounter led to a life-changing introduction to Jay Z, but it wasn’t luck. It was the natural outcome of 9th Wonder’s habit of always making a good impression.
The Paradox of Success
Stay True to YOUR Calling — When Jay Z gave 9th Wonder just 25 minutes to create a beat, he didn’t conform to outside expectations or change his style to please others. He relied on his “muscle memory” built from countless reps of perfecting his unique approach.
Don’t Change Under Pressure. In high-pressure moments, stick to what you know. Just like in basketball, you don’t change your jump shot with the game on the line. You trust in the habits and reps that got you there. This is why this month is so important in our culture!
9th Wonder focused on the quality of each beat, the effort he put into every rep, and getting a little better each day. He wasn’t anchored to external rewards like fame or money, but rather to the process he could control.
The Work Is The Reward
Success, fame, and recognition came as byproducts of 9th Wonder’s commitment to his craft. His focus was never on the outcomes but on treating every opportunity to work as the endgame.
Build Unshakable Habits.
Don’t chase approval or external rewards.
Focus on the work and the habits you build daily.
Your legacy is defined by the consistent effort you put into your craft, not by how much money you have or the praise of others.