Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams, also known by his mononym Pharrell, is a multifaceted talent - a singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. He is best known for his smash hit single, "Happy," which was the lead single for the soundtrack of the film "Despicable Me 2," reaching the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100. Williams is also recognized for his work with Robin Thicke on the song "Blurred Lines" in 2013, despite subsequent regrets due to backlash. Another notable moment in his career was his collaboration with Daft Punk on the songs "Get Lucky" and "Lose Yourself to Dance," also in 2013.

Pharrell and Chad Hugo make up the record production duo the Neptunes, producing soul, hip hop, and R&B music. They were formed in the early 1990s and are widely referred to as one of the most influential and successful music producers of the 21st century. Williams is also the lead vocalist and drummer of the rock, funk, and hip-hop band NER*D, which he formed with Hugo and childhood friend Shay Haley. In 2006, Williams released his debut solo album, "In My Mind," and his second album, "G I R L," was released in 2014. As part of the Neptunes, Williams has produced numerous hit singles for various recording artists and has won over a dozen Grammy Awards, including three for Producer of the Year and Non-Classical, and has been nominated for two Academy Awards. He also made significant contributions to the music industry by composing and producing the music for the 84th Academy Awards in 2012.

Williams has also ventured into the fashion industry, co-designing a series of eyewear and jewelry for Louis Vuitton in 2008, and in 2014, he entered a long-term partnership with Adidas. He currently owns a media venture that encompasses entertainment, music, fashion, and art called i am OTHER, a multimedia creative collective and record label that serves as an umbrella for all of Pharrell's endeavors, including Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream apparel, Billionaire Girls Club, textile company Bionic Yarn and a dedicated YouTube channel launched in 2012.

As a committed philanthropist, Williams owns a non-profit organization called "From One Hand To AnOTHER" (FOHTA). FOHTA is an educational foundation that aims to "change the world one kid at a time by giving them the tools and resources to meet their unique potential." He believes in empowering kids to learn through new technologies, arts, media, and motivation. In 2019, he offered internships to 144 students at Promise Academy in Harlem, New York City.

In October 2015, the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University named Pharrell as their artist-in-residence. He gave the 2017 commencement address at NYU and received an honorary degree on May 17, 2017. Williams has also contributed to the world of television, serving as a coach for the seventh season of The Voice, replacing CeeLo Green, and made guest appearances on shows like "Sisterhood of Hip Hop" and "The Simpsons."