(ThyBlackMan.com) Pharrell was born on April 5, 1973; an American singer, rapper, songwriter, musician, record producer, fashion designer, and a businessman. He is the drummer and lead vocalist of N.E.R.D; a band that plays funky, hip hop, and rock music. His first single “Frontin” was released in 2003 followed by his debut solo album “In My Mind” in 2006.
In March of 2014, he released his second Album “Girl”. Pharrell is one of the producers of The Neptunes in which he produced numerous hit singles for several recording artists. He is the co-founder Ice Cream Footwear and Billionaire Boys Club; a famous clothing brand.
The early childhood life of Pharrell Williams
Pharrell was born in Virginia Beach, Virgina and he is the oldest of the
three sons. His father was a handyman and his mother was a teacher. When he was in his 7th grade, he played the keyboard and drums and when he joined summer band camp, he was able to meet Chad Hugo. Hugo is a tenor saxophone player. Both of them are members of a marching band in which Hugo served as a student conductor and Pharrell played the snare drum.
Hugo and Williams decided to form “The Neptunes” in 1990, a four-piece band that plays R&B type of music. The other members of the group were Mike Etheridge and Shay Haley. They decided to join a high school talent show and were discovered by Teddy Riley; a studio owner that is located next to Princess Anne High School. When they graduated high school, they signed a career contract with Riley.
Musical style
He doesn’t have any direct influences, but among his idols in the music industry were Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, Donny Hathaway, J Dilla, and Q-Tip. His major turning points in his music career were People’s Instinctive Travels, A Tribe Called Quest’s 1990, and Paths of Rhythm. These have made him realized that music is actually an art; a beautiful form of art.
Business ventures
Pharrell is the co-founder of Ice Cream Footwear and Billionaire Boys Club; a famous clothing brand. His clothing boutique is located in West Broadway, New York City. He also designed a series of jewelry and glasses for Louis Vuitton. He also takes part in the furniture business, wherein he designed a plastic seat with the actual human legs. In May of 2011, Williams served as a creative director of Karmaloop TV alongside with Katie McEnroe; former AMC president and Greg Selkoe; CEO. Williams launched his very own YouTube channel.
A closer look at his personal life
Pharrell Williams is now married. He marry Helen Lasichanh; who is his long-time girlfriend. Helen is a model and at the same time a designer. They got married in October 12, 2013. In November of 2008, they were blessed to have a son and they named him Rocket Williams. Do you know the movie “Despicable Me”? Well, the theme song of that movie “Rocket’s Theme” was written in an honor of Williams’ son.
Staff Writer; HipHopJones