Description
First substantial overview of the life and career of Pharrell Williams, the foremost producer of the modern era, and performer in his own right. It follows him from his days growing up in Virginia, his meeting with musical partner Chad Hugo and formation of The Neptunes, through his collaborations with the great and the good of pop, rap and R&B, including Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nelly and Kelis. It assesses his ground-breaking work with the radical rap-rock-pop band N*E*R*D, and his emergence as a solo superstar via Daft Punk's Get Lucky, Robin Thicke's controversial Blurred Lines and global mega-hit Happy. It delves behind the immaculate facade to find out what makes Williams one of the most driven and inventive musicians of the last 20 years.
About the Author
Paul Lester was Features Editor of Melody Maker before leaving to start music and movie magazine Uncut where he was deputy editori until 2006. Since 2007, he has interviewed nearly 100 musicians and actors for the Guardian, Guardian Unlimited Music, the Daily Telegraph and the Sunday Times and sleevenotes on everyone from Elkie Brooks to The Sex Pistols. He has written nine rock and pop biographies and has co-authored the Virgin Encyclopedia of Rock.