Pharrell Williams

From Free net encyclopedia

{{Infobox Band | band_name = Pharrell | image = Image:Pharrell(005-suit-sitting-med).jpg | caption = Pharrell Williams | years_active = 1992–present (producer)
2002–2004 (band)
2002–present (solo) | origin = Virginia Beach, Virginia | music_genre = Pop, R&B, Hip-Hop | record_label = Star Trak / Interscope (2003–present) }}


Pharrell Williams aka Skateboard P (born April 5, 1973 to Pharoh & Carloyn Williams in Virginia Beach, Virginia) is one half of the primarily hip hop music production and songwriting duo, The Neptunes (with Chad Hugo) as well as rap/rock group N.E.R.D. with Hugo and Shae Haley. As part of The Neptunes Pharrell has produced numerous hit singles for megastars such as Mariah Carey, Britney Spears, Janet Jackson, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nelly, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Mystikal, Jay-Z, *NSYNC, and others. He plays the drums, keyboard and guitar.

Contents

[edit]

Biography


In August 2002, The Neptunes were named Producers of the Year at both The Source Awards and the Billboard Music Awards. In 2002, Williams wrote and produced rapper Nelly’s single called, "Hot in Herre," the single hit No.1 in the U.S.. Image:Jay pharrell.jpg He repeated the success by doing the same with Britney Spears' dance-pop single, "I'm A Slave 4 U". But it wasn't until the summer of 2003 that Pharrell released his first solo single, "Frontin'" featuring Jay-Z. The album The Neptunes Present...Clones was then released, debuting at number one in August 2003.

"Frontin'" was a big summer hit (the No. 34 biggest single of 2003 according to Billboard Magazine), and kept Williams' momentum running up to the release of Hugo and Williams' second funk/rock-oriented N.E.R.D album, 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. Pharrell 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 No.2 Billboard hit Justified. [1]

Image:Pharrell-williams-in-my-mind.jpg In 2005, Williams was voted "Best Dressed Man in the World" by Esquire magazine. His look has inspired such acts like Mario and Eric West. On September 9th, 2005, Pharrell performed the opening single from his debut solo album "In My Mind". The song, titled "Can I Have It Like That", featuring Gwen Stefani, blends a smooth synth with a few drum rolls and heavy bass. "In My Mind" will have 14 tracks, 7 hip-hop tracks and 7 R&B tracks featuring numerous musical guests such as Gwen Stefani, Daddy Yankee, Vanessa Marquez and Jay-Z. The album cover for In My Mind is slated to be designed by Japanese brand "A Bathing Ape".

His debut album "In My Mind" will likely be released before the end of 2006. In 2006 Pharrell Williams partnered with Turner Network Television for a special 2006 NBA All-Star Game promotion. Williams appears in promo spots for the game, which airs on the network February 19th . The two minute spot begins airing in Regal Cinemas in January. A 30 second version premiered Dec. 25 on ABC during the NBA match-up. The spots feature footage of Williams in the recording studio intermingled with basketball court action.

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Solo albums

[edit]

Singles

Year Title Chart Positions Album
US Hot 100

US R&B/Hip-Hop US Rap UK Singles Chart
2002 "From Tha Chuuuch To Da Palace" (Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams) #77 #31 #16 #27 Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$
2003 "Frontin'" (feat. Jay-Z) #5 #1 #1 #6 The Neptunes Presents... Clones
2003 "Excuse Me Miss" (Jay-Z feat. Pharrell Williams) #8 #5 #2 #17 The Blueprint²: The Gift & the Curse
2003 "Change Clothes" (Jay-Z feat. Pharrell Williams) #10 #6 #4 #32 Black Album
2003 "Beautiful" (Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams) #6 #3 #3 #23 Paid tha Cost to Be da Bo$$
2003 "Light Your Ass On Fire" (Busta Rhymes feat. Pharrell Williams) #69 #23 #12 #62 The Neptunes Presents... Clones
2004 "Drop It Like It's Hot" (Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell Williams) #1 #1 #1 #10 R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta) The Masterpiece
2005 "Can I Have It Like That" (feat. Gwen Stefani) #48 #32 #20 #3 In My Mind
2005 "Angel" - - - #15 In My Mind
[edit]

See also

[edit]

External links

de:Pharrell Williams fr:Pharrell Williams nl:Pharrell Williams no:Pharrell Williams pl:Pharrell Williams sv:Pharrell Williams

Retrieved from "http://www.netipedia.com/index.php/Pharrell_Williams"