Few artists can spark fire with another creative mind quite like Pharrell Williams. To coincide with the release of Piece By Piece – an entirely new form of biopic, in cinemas on November 8 – we're looking back at five unforgettable collaborations from across Pharrell’s legendary career...
You couldn't compile a list of essential collaborators in Pharrell Williams' career without kicking it off with Chad Hugo. The pair grew up together in Virginia Beach, and first began making music together in their early teens – before going on to form the era-defining production/songwriting duo The Neptunes. Under that guise, they worked on hits for the biggest names in the business; topped the Billboard 200 chart with their own star-studded compilation album Clones in 2003; and, in 2020, earned a spot in the Songwriters Hall of Fame. Pharrell and Chad's collaborations didn't stop there – with the pair, alongside their old friend Shay Haley, having also created dazzlingly genre-defying music through their group N.E.R.D.
Gwen Stefani: A Fusion of Pop and Hip-Hop
Long before they were fellow coaches on The Voice, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams first kicked off their musical connection in the early '00s. As a member of No Doubt, Gwen and her bandmate Tony Kanal co-wrote their 2002 hit 'Hella Good' with The Neptunes' Pharrell and Chad – despite the duo being better known for their hip-hop production at the time. Later, when Gwen kicked off her solo career, she joined forces with The Neptunes again, to craft her iconic, chart-topping 2005 single 'Hollaback Girl'. She also went on to feature on Pharrell's 2005 track 'Can I Have It Like That', from his debut album, In My Mind. They've since worked together on the songs 'Shine', which featured in the 2014 Paddington film, and 'Spark The Fire', also released in 2014.
Snoop Dogg: A Partnership Built on Hits
Pharrell and Snoop Dogg's paths have crossed on multiple occasions over the years. The Neptunes were involved in some of the Long Beach rapper's biggest hits of the '00s, including the Grammy-nominated 2003 single 'Beautiful', featuring vocals from Pharrell. The following year, Snoop joined forces with the superstar production duo again for his epic hit single 'Drop It Like It's Hot' – with Pharrell again lending his voice to the track. The song was No.1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for three weeks, which marked the first time that both artists had ever topped the chart. Later, in 2015, Pharrell produced the entirety of Snoop Dogg's 13th studio album, Bush.
Daft Punk: A Cosmic Collaboration
Pharrell and Daft Punk's creative worlds first collided when he was a member of The Neptunes – remixing 'Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger' in 2003. It kicked off a string of groundbreaking collaborations between himself and the French duo – with Daft Punk co-writing and co-producing N.E.R.D.'s 2010 track 'Hypnotize U', and Pharrell contributing vocals to both 'Get Lucky' and 'Lose Yourself To Dance' on Daft Punk's final album, Random Access Memories (2013). 'Get Lucky' topped charts around the world for multiple weeks, and won Grammy Awards for both Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. Pharrell also enlisted the talents of Daft Punk for his 2014 single 'Gust Of Wind'.
Kendrick Lamar: A Fusion of Musical Genius
Pharrell's impact on the current hip-hop scene is undeniable – from inspiring a young Tyler, the Creator, to collaborating with the genre's reigning king, Kendrick Lamar. Pharrell not only co-produced 'Alright' – the multi-Grammy-Award-winning track from Kendrick's 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly, which became an anthem for the Black Lives Matter movement – but also contributed lyrics and backing vocals. Both artists turned up on Mike WILL Made-It's 'The Mantra' off the Creed II soundtrack in 2018, before joining forces once again for the Pharrell-produced 'Mr Morale' from Kendrick's latest album, Mr Morale & the Big Steppers (2022).
A Legacy of Collaboration
Of course, that's just a small taste of the era-defining music Pharrell has worked on over the years. Dive into this inspiring journey yourself in this entirely new form of biopic, Piece By Piece – in Irish cinemas from November 8. Watch the trailer for Piece By Piece below:
Pharrell's collaborations with Chad Hugo, Gwen Stefani, Snoop Dogg, Daft Punk, and Kendrick Lamar have redefined genres, topped charts, and left an enduring impact on the music industry. His ability to bring out the best in his collaborators and create truly groundbreaking music is a testament to his talent and vision.
These collaborations have not only shaped the careers of the artists involved but also have shaped the sonic landscape of our times. Pharrell's willingness to push boundaries, experiment with different genres, and work with diverse artists has made him a true innovator in the music world, and his legacy will continue to inspire generations to come.
