Pharrell has been nearly untouchable this year. He seems to have the Midas touch, everything that has his name attached to it goes on to have success. Most artist are proud to be a part of one major summer hit, he had two (“Blurred Lines” and “Get Lucky”). His two contributions to Pusha T‘s solo debut, “Suicide” and “S.N.I.T.C.H.”, are both standout tracks. Not limited to only music, he teamed up with famous designer Mark McNairy to create the BBC Black clothing line that has the fashion world buzzing. And for the first time, he has donned the role of a journalist for ARTIST TLK, a youtube series where he interviews fellow artists about their creativity and their art. If you are saying that there couldn’t be more, well now he has partnered with Ebay for their Follow It, Find It campaign. Pharrell is truly having a year to remember, but when you think about his career as whole, he seems to have a lot of those.
Earlier this week Billboard Magazine sate down with the gracious star to chop it up about his latest successes, current work and his future work. It was insightful and motivational. The N.E.R.D. frontman preaches positivity and tells the publication that he wants fans to be uplifted by his music. Here are a few excerpts from their conversation:
On your ARTST TLK show, you talk with an array of creatives. What’s it like being the question-asker and not the asked?
Thank you for bringing up ARTST TLK. I’m always thankful when people recognize that effort of ours. It’s really just for me. It’s a crash course in these people’s life and how they operate. So I get to ask a Jeff Koons what his motivation is. And the answer’s for me.
You do ask a lot of enthusiast questions that show you’re a real fan of the subjects.
Well, I do have a crazy comprehensive team, too. My team is second to none. A lot of the questions, they help me put together. Because the only thing I’ll sit there and do the entire time with every artist that I love and respect—which is all of them—is ask how they tap in and ask where they get their inspiration from. I just want to talk about the gift and will that God has given us. Or the universe. Whatever you want to call it. And our ability to tap into the ether. I’ll spend my time doing that. But I have a team that knows there are a lot of people watching. And they’re going to want to know other things that the layman would want to know. And that’s another thing, too: I’m a fan. Being an artist, I’m going to keep asking the weirdo questions like how are you zoning out? What gets you there?
Joy seems to be the feeling you’re trying to infuse into your music this year. Is that an accurate idea? Everything you’ve assisted on or produced just feels good.
The impetus for all of my music texture-wise is “What is missing?” I don’t want to do shit that sounds like other people and what’s going on. Joy is something that the world needs more of right now. And it’s funny, because I almost tweeted that word the other day, “Joy.” But it was brought to my attention that there’s a much better word that was fitting for a couple of things. They’re the same thing, but it also serves a great, incredible purpose, which is that this video for “Happy” is coming. So I ended up tweeting the word “Happy.” People are forgetting that it’s the simplest things in the world that can make you smile. So “Happy” and “Get Lucky” and “Blurred Lines,” when you listen to the music, chord-wise, it’s just [sits up and pumps up chest] uplifting. Until we get enough of that, that will be the page that I’m on. I don’t want to make anything sad.
He is playing an integral part of Beyonce’s newest album, and he speaks on her progress as well.
Who else are you producing for that we can look out for in the months to come?
Ed Sheeran. Usher. I’m going back in with T.I. Beyonce. Jennifer Hudson. Nelly has this really big record named “Rick James.” That’s my jam. Hans Zimmer and I are scoring “The Amazing Spiderman 2.” The “Happy” video, it just feels like people—good people that all remember that we are entitled to smile. I’m very excited about that.
How’s the Beyonce work coming along? She’s been crafting this album for a while.
B’s album is crazy. Let me tell you what it is. She’s very particular. She’s a Virgo. And she’s not going to put it out until it’s ready and feels like it’s right to her. She’s got a very specific taste. I guess that’s the reason she’s Beyonce. Her name is recognizable around the globe and that’s huge. That comes from someone that has very particular taste. When you know what you want, you won’t stop until you get it. [Other people are hearing her album] and are like “Whoa!” And she’s like, “Yeah, I’m almost done.” And she’s the queen.
You can check out the full interview here.
*Quotes from Billboard.com interview done by Brad Wete, published on October, 24 2013.
Jimi (@Nativejmi)
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Paris, au départ