10 FOR TUESDAYS - WHAT IF.....PHARRELL WILLIAMS (PART ONE)

Okay for this weeks ’10 For Tuesday’s’ we are going to profile super producer/artist/designer and much more Pharrell Williams. We are going to delve deep into his life and hopefully bring you 10 interesting facts that you did not know about him. So lets get straight into the action.

 

Pharrell is one half of the production duo ‘The Neptunes’ with long time friend Chad Hugo, but I bet you don’t know how the two met. Back when they were at school they both attended a summer camp for musicians. From then on they formed numerous bands, which eventually led to the formation of ‘The Neptunes’, and as they say the rest is history!

Pharrell’s first ever writing credit, as an artist was for Wreck-N-Effect’s 92’ hit ‘Rump Shaker.’ The collaboration came about when producer Teddy Riley saw Pharrell performing with Hugo, Shay Haley (of NERD) and friend Mike Etheridge in a local talent show and signed them up to a development deal on his record label. 

A survey in August 2003 found the Neptunes produced almost 20% of songs played on British radio at the time. Where as a similar survey in the US found that 43% songs on Radio were Neptune’s productions. I don’t think there has ever been or will ever be a more dominant production team than that! 

Along with Japanese record producer Nigo, Pharrell co-founded the clothing line Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear. The brand has stores in many major cities including London, New York and LA.

Pharrell worked with composer Heitor Pereira to record the soundtrack and score for animated film Despicable Me and will also help to write the music for the sequel. His work on the Despicable Me film gave him the opportunity to score the music for the Oscars with legendary composer Hans Zimmer.

Check back later today for the second part of this special '10 For Tuesdsays.'