Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Lanscilo Williams; born April 5, 1973), known mononymously as Pharrell, is an American musician, record producer, and fashion designer. He first gained recognition as one half of the production duo The Neptunes, formed with Chad Hugo in 1992, producing multiple top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hits, including four chart-toppers. In 1999, he co-founded the rock and hip-hop band N.E.R.D. with Hugo and Shay Haley, serving as lead vocalist. Widely regarded as one of modern popular music’s most influential producers, Pharrell has also contributed to all Despicable Me films musically.

In 2001, Williams and Hugo co-founded Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Arista Records. Pharrell’s solo career took off with his 2003 debut single, “Frontin’” (featuring Jay-Z), which reached number five on the Billboard Hot 100. His debut studio album, In My Mind (2006), peaked at number three on the Billboard 200. He later produced and performed on Robin Thicke’s 2013 hit “Blurred Lines” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky”, the latter winning Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards. His 2013 single “Happy”, featured on Despicable Me 2, became his second Billboard Hot 100 number-one hit and led his acclaimed second album, Girl (2014).

Pharrell has won 13 Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical (one with The Neptunes), and is a two-time Academy Award nominee: in 2014 for Best Original Song (“Happy”) and in 2017 for Best Picture as producer of Hidden Figures. In 2012, he founded the multidisciplinary media company I Am Other, which encompasses his record label, fashion label Billionaire Boys Club, and other creative ventures. Since 2023, he has served as Men’s Creative Director for Louis Vuitton.