Generating hits as both producer and recording artist,
Pharrell Williams has become one of the most featured performers in the hip hop community. Penetrating the music scene in the late 1990s, he has scored numerous hits as the production duo with Chad Hugo The Neptunes, as the band N*E*R*D, and simply as Pharrell. The Neptunes are recognized for their impressive work with numerous artists such as
Snoop Dogg,
Jay-Z,
Britney Spears,
Justin Timberlake,
Kelis, and
Nelly while N*E*R*D created the popular singles “Lapdance”, “
Rock Star”, and “She Wants to Move”. Pharrel
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l has provided guest vocals on many hit tracks notably Snoop’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and “
Beautiful”, Justin Timberlake’s “Señorita”, Jay-Z’s “Excuse Me Miss” and has proven his solo ability with the smash hit “Frontin’”.
Born in Virginia Beach, VA on April 5, 1973 Pharrell developed an interest in music at a young age learning to play the drums, guitar and keyboard. While attending a jazz workshop when he was twelve, he met his future partner and bandmate Chad Hugo, a tenor saxophonist. In high school,
Williams played the snare drum for the marching band and was also part of The Neptunes, an R&B inspired group, along with friends Chad Hugo, Shae Haley and Mike Ethridge. The group was discovered by producer Teddy Riley who later asked Pharrell to create a verse for Wreckx-N-Effect’s 1992 hit single “
Rump Shaker”. This project led to the creation of the Williams and Hugo production duo. Together they began producing tracks for BLACKstreet, SWV, and
Mase. In 1998, they received much praise and attention for their production of N.O.R.E’s (formerly Noreaga) hit “Superthug”. Their first number one hit was with Britney Spear’s “I’m a Slave 4 U” and was followed by Nelly’s “Hot in Herre”. The Neptunes were named the “Producers of the Year” at the Billboard Music Awards and from that point onwards their producing expertise began to be requested by an endless list of major recording artists.
Meanwhile Chad, Pharrell, and Shae released their first album as N*E*R*D entitled In Search Of… in 2001 and once again in 2002. In 2003 The Neptunes released The Neptunes Present…Clones, a compilation of songs and remixes from various artists which debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. N*E*R*D issued their sophomore and possibly final album, Fly or Die in March 2004. Pharrell’s debut solo album In My Mind appeared in July 2006 and includes the previously released “
Can I Have it Like That” featuring
Gwen Stefani, as well as “
Angel”, and “Number 1” featuring
Kanye West.