name | Pharrell Williams |
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background | solo_singer |
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alias | Skateboard P, Pharrell (mononym) |
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born | April 05, 1973 |
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origin | Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States |
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instrument | Piano, Keyboards, Guitar,Drums |
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genre | Hip hop, pop, funk, rock, pop rap, R&B;, electro |
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occupation | Producer, Musician, Songwriter, Singer |
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years active | 1994–present |
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label | Star Trak, Interscope |
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associated acts | Missile Command, Robin Thicke, Game, Snoop Dogg, The Neptunes, N.E.R.D, Justin Timberlake, Tyler, The Creator, OFWGKTA |
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website | |
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notable instruments | Piano, Keyboards
}} |
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Pharrell Williams (born April 5, 1973), commonly known simply by the mononym Pharrell, is an American rapper, singer, record producer, composer, and fashion designer. Williams and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo The Neptunes, producing hip hop and R&B; music. He is also the lead vocalist and drummer of funk/hip-hop band N.E.R.D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. He released his debut single "Frontin'" in 2003 and followed up with his debut album ''In My Mind'' in 2006.
As part of The Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various music artists. The production duo have earned three Grammy Awards amongst ten nominations. He is also the co-founder of the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing.
Early life
Pharrell Williams was born on April 5, 1973, on
Virginia Beach,
Virginia. He was born eldest of three sons of Carolyn, a teacher, and Williams, a handyman. He met
Chad Hugo in a seventh grade summer band camp where Williams played the
keyboards and
drums and Hugo played
tenor saxophone. They were also both members of a
marching band; Williams played the
snare drum while Chad took the role of student
conductor. Along with Hugo, Williams attended
Princess Anne High School where they played in the school band; that is where he got the name Skateboard P.
In the 1990s, Hugo and Williams formed a 4-piece "R&B; type" group along with friends Shay Haley and Mike Etheridge, which they named ''The Neptunes''. They later entered a high school talent show where they were discovered by Teddy Riley, whose studio was next to Princess Anne High School. After graduating from high school, they signed with Riley as a group.
Career
1992–2001: Career beginnings
Through working with Teddy Riley, Williams went on to write a verse for
Wreckx-N-Effect's 1992 hit "
Rump Shaker". That same year, he also performed a small rap solo on
SWV's second hit, "Right Here (UK Remix)". In 1994, Hugo and Williams had established themselves formally as a production duo under the previously used name "The Neptunes", and produced "Tonight's The Night" from
Blackstreet's
self-titled debut. Over the next three years they continued to produce occasionally. Some of the production had little resemblance to the trademark Neptunes sound present today. However, some like
Mase's 1997 song "Lookin' At Me" from his album ''
Harlem World'', and the most definite beginning of the so-called distinctive "Neptunes sound", came with
N.O.R.E.'s "Superthug" in 1998, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100, and gaining them widespread attention for the first time. In 1999, the duo then worked heavily with
Kelis, producing her first album ''
Kaleidoscope''
2001–2004: ''In Search Of...'', Clipse and ''Fly or Die''
In 2001, The Neptunes produced
Britney Spears' single, "
I'm a Slave 4 U" gaining their first worldwide number one. The same year, N.E.R.D, consisting of Williams, Hugo and Haley, released their first album, ''
In Search Of...'', in Europe, where the first Kelis album was better received. The album sounded very much like their previous production work; the group decided that they should make their work as N.E.R.D sound different, and re-recorded the album, with the
rock band
Spymob. Williams and Hugo met rap duo
Clipse in
Virginia Beach in 1993, where they were signed to
Arista Records through Williams'
Star Trak Entertainment imprint.
Then in 2002 their re-produced album was released worldwide, and The Neptunes reached number one in the U.S. with Nelly's single, "Hot in Herre". In August of the same year, The Neptunes were named "Producers of the Year" at both The Source Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. Clipse released their commercial debut album, ''Lord Willin''' in August 2002. The album opened at number one on the ''Billboard'' Top R&B;/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number four on the ''Billboard'' 200, fueled by the strength of its first two singles, "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time", which peaked at number 34 and number 19 respectively on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100.
The Neptunes released a self-credited album called ''The Neptunes Present... Clones'' in 2003, featuring songs and remixes from various artists. This album topped the U.S. ''Billboard'' 200 Albums Chart. The Neptunes and Williams specifically were also kept in public eye largely due to ties with Jay-Z, producing several hit singles for him and landing two tracks on his album ''The Black Album''. The track "Frontin'" was a big hit (the 34th biggest single of 2003 according to ''Billboard'' magazine). A survey in August 2003 found the Neptunes produced almost 20 percent of songs played on British radio at the time, a survey in the US had them at 43 percent. The same year, The Neptunes remixed the Daft Punk song ''Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger'' for the duo's poorly-received remix album ''Daft Club''. The track also featured a brief rap section performed by Williams.
N.E.R.D's second funk rock-oriented album, ''Fly or Die'', released in March 2004. Williams' rock credentials were further bolstered by his appearance at the 2004 Grammy Awards, performing The Beatles' "I Saw Her Standing There" on drums along with Sting, Dave Matthews, and Vince Gill. Williams went home with two Grammy Awards that night, one for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, and another for Best Pop Vocal Album for his work on Justin Timberlake's hit album ''Justified''. They also gained their first UK number one, again with Nelly, and ''Flap Your Wings''.
2005–present: Debut album and collaborations
On September 9, 2005, Williams performed the opening single from his debut solo album ''
In My Mind'', "
Can I Have It Like That", featuring
Gwen Stefani. The single did poorly in the US, reaching only number 48. It fared better in the UK, reaching number three. Between then and the July 25, 2006 release of "In My Mind", he released "
Angel" (in Europe only), and later "
Number One" with
Kanye West. Several songs leaked to the internet before the album release, most notably "Mamacita" featuring
Daddy Yankee, which was subsequently cut from the final version. "That Girl" featuring
Snoop Dogg was the final single.
In 2006, Williams, along with Chad Hugo, produced Clipse's second album ''Hell Hath No Fury''. Most critics labeled the album to be Williams's best production in years, and put the Virginia rap duo back in the charts.
On May 16, 2007, for seven days only, the first of two expected collaborations with Madonna, entitled "Hey You", was made available for free download from the MSN website. MSN, in conjunction with Madonna, donated 25 cents for each of the first one million downloads to the Alliance for Climate Protection, in support of Live Earth. Later that year, Williams performed songs at the Concert for Diana on July 1, 2007. Then, on July 7, 2007, he performed at the Brazilian leg of Live Earth in Rio de Janeiro.
A second album, entitled ''Out of My Mind'', was recorded with his newly formed band "The Yessirs" featuring Questlove of The Roots. However, Williams' record label did not think that a companion album to the first would sell well. He also produced Beyoncé's rendition of "Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend". He then wrote and produced "Why Should I Be Sad" on Britney Spears' fifth studio album, ''Blackout''. He also produced two songs from The Hives album, ''The Black and White Album'', titled "Well All Right!" and "T.H.E.H.I.V.E.S.".
In April 2008, Madonna released her eleventh album, ''Hard Candy'', which featured vocals from Williams and production from The Neptunes on several tracks. Later in June, an article in NME revealed that Williams is very interested in producing The Strokes' fourth album. Williams, along with other musicians, is to work on a remix album for Maroon 5's ''Call & Response''.
Pharrell worked with Colombian artist Shakira on the songs 'Did It Again', 'Why Wait', 'Good Stuff' and 'Long Time' for her sixth studio album, ''She Wolf''. The album was released in October 2009.
It has been revealed that Williams will collaborate with Lindsay Lohan on her upcoming third studio album ''Spirit in the Dark''. He will also provide guest vocals on the album's first single, "Playground".
In September 2009, it was announced that Williams co-wrote and produced a song titled "Fresh Out the Oven" for Jennifer Lopez. The song was released as a buzz single from Lopez's upcoming seventh studio album ''Love?'', which is due for release in the Summer of 2010.
In October 2009, it was announced that he would make a guest appearance on French indie/electronic rapper Uffie's debut album, due out in early 2010.
He has also worked with rapper Snoop Dogg and singer Brandy on the song "Special" in Snoop Dogg's album Malice 'n' Wonderland.
Pharrell has been featured on an unofficial remix/mash-up of "Arab Money" featuring Busta Rhymes.
Pharrell and Kid Cudi collaborated on an untitled song for Kid Cudi's second studio album ''Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr.Rager''. Cudi described the song as a "club hit".
In late 2009, Pharrell also started working with the multi-Platinum recording artist Game (previously known as The Game) for his fourth studio album known as The R.E.D. Album, Pharrell returned to work with US singer Justin Timberlake, whom he hadn't worked with for nearly 8 years after he was a producer on Timberlake's debut solo album Justified.
In July 2010, Pharrell Williams composed one of the soundtracks in the movie Despicable Me at the Hollywood Studio Symphony.
Pharrell collaborated with Swedish house music group the Swedish House Mafia, on the song "One" from their debut album Until One. The released song featuring Pharrell's vocals was renamed "One (Your Name)."
Pharrell & his group N.E.R.D supported Gorillaz on their Escape to Plastic Beach World Tour. On the tour, Damon Albarn used his iPad to record and compose the Gorillaz album ''The Fall''. Pharrell recorded a track with Albarn, but this track did not appear on ''The Fall''; it may appear on a future album.
He will be featured on Gucci Mane's second album "The Appeal: Georgia's Most Wanted* on a track called Haterade alongside "Nicki Minaj".
He will also be featured on Swizz Beatz upcoming album "Haute Living".
On August 1st 2011, Pharrell announced his new label, i am Other.
Musical style
Williams often sings in a
falsetto, which he utilizes during the
hook of a song. Critics often say that Williams has the inability to
rap or sing well, but point out that his singing is better than his rapping. Alasdair Lees of ''
The Independent'' felt that Williams "strives for the
Prince effect", but sounds like
Bobby Valentino "on work experience". Anthony Henriques of
PopMatters noted that Williams is not a "technically gifted rapper", "does not have a beautiful voice" and his lyrics are "typically inconsequential in a "saying shit just to sound cool' sort of way", but found strengths in his choruses, which he pointed out "typically use a catchy phrase or recognizable melody as an anchor for his nonsensical verses".
Pharrell also did music for the Dreamworks film Despicable Me. The film makers liked his genre of music for the movie. Williams has encompassed a broad range of genres, including hip hop, R&B;, pop, rock, and funk. His lyrics often pertain to his childhood, family, religious faith and sexuality. In the album review for ''Seeing Sounds'' by N.E.R.D, Christian Hoard of ''Rolling Stone'' felt he learned nothing from his lyrics except that Williams was sexually aroused.
Williams has stated that he does not have any direct influences, but has expressed his admiration of several recording artists, including Michael Jackson, J Dilla, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Rakim and Q-Tip. Williams described A Tribe Called Quest's 1990 album, ''People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm'', as a "turning point" in his life, which "made me see that music was art".
Ventures
Williams met
Nigo, a
Japanese record producer and creator of the clothing line
A Bathing Ape, in
Japan and bonded through similar interests, where they began working together on their
fashion lines. Williams later co-founded the clothing brands
Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. He has a store in New York City. In 2008, Williams co-designed a series of glasses and jewelry for
Louis Vuitton. The jewelry line is called Blason. He has also worked on furniture with Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin and a French manufacturer, Domeau & Pérès. One of his works, a molded plastic seat with human legs, was created because he "wanted to know what it was like to be in love." The chair depicts a sexual scene with a pair of female legs and male legs.
Pharrell recorded four songs for the computer animated film ''Despicable Me''. Some of the songs are used in the trailers, and are also in the movie.
In 2011 Pharrell designed and released a cream liqueur named QREAM. The "Q" stands for "Queen" and the liqueur comes in two different flavors; strawberry and peach. An opportunity comes when Pharrell was approached by Diageo to collaborate, in which Pharrell proceeded to make his own research and found that the female audience were being neglected, thus substantiate his idea to make a cream liqueur for women. He mentioned the taste being an ambient of an ice cream, but the liqueur itself contains less calories compared to a wine.
Personal life
In 2005 Williams was voted "Best Dressed Man in the World" by ''
Esquire'' magazine. He is a fan of the
science fiction series ''
Star Trek'', as indicated by his consistent use of the
Vulcan salute to signify his label name,
Star Trak. He also enjoys the works of the late
astronomer and science lecturer
Carl Sagan, whom he calls "a genius". Williams is a skateboarder and has a
half-pipe inside his home. In April 2009, Williams underwent a skin procedure to have most of his tattoos removed.
Discography
''In My Mind'' (2006)
'' Back to the Future'' (2011)
Awards and nominations
{|class="wikitable"
|-
| colspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|
Grammy Awards
|-
!Year
!Category
!Genre
!Title
!Result
|-
|rowspan=6|2004
|
Producer of the Year (with
Chad Hugo)
|N/A
|—
|
|-
|
Best Pop Vocal Album
|Pop
|''Justified''
|
|-
|
Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|Rap
|"Frontin'" (with
Jay-Z)
|
|-
|Best Rap/Sung Collaboration
|Rap
|"Beautiful" (with
Snoop Dogg) featuring Terrence Campbell
|
|-
|
Best Rap Song
|Rap
|"Beautiful" (with Snoop Dogg)
|
|-
|Best Rap Song
|Rap
|"Excuse Me Miss" (with Jay-Z)
|
|-
|rowspan="2"|2005
|
Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group
|Rap
|"Drop It Like It's Hot" (with Snoop Dogg)
|
|-
|Best Rap Song
|Rap
|"Drop It Like It's Hot" (with Snoop Dogg)
|
|-
|rowspan=2|2007
|Best Rap Song
|Rap
|"Money Maker" (with
Ludacris)
|
|-
|
Best Rap Album
|Rap
|''In My Mind''
|
|}
References
External links
Official website
Category:1973 births
Category:African American rappers
Category:African American rock musicians
Category:American alternative rock musicians
Category:American fashion designers
Category:American funk musicians
Category:American hip hop musicians
Category:American record producers
Category:American rhythm and blues musicians
Category:American rock musicians
Category:American singer-songwriters
Category:Grammy Award winners
Category:Living people
Category:N.E.R.D members
Category:People from Virginia Beach, Virginia
Category:Rappers from Virginia
Category:The Neptunes members
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lt:Pharrell Williams
nl:Pharrell Williams
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no:Pharrell Williams
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ru:Уильямс, Фаррелл
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