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Music producer, singer, and fashion designer
He became globally famous for producing as part of The Neptunes and for his 2013 solo hit "Happy," which topped charts in over 20 countries and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
Pharrell Williams, born April 5, 1973, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, is a musician, record producer, and fashion designer who rose to prominence as one half of the production duo The Neptunes alongside Chad Hugo. Since forming the partnership in 1992, he produced 15 top-ten Billboard Hot 100 hits, including four number-one songs, and released solo smashes like "Happy" (2013), which topped charts worldwide and earned him an Oscar nomination. He serves as Men's creative director for Louis Vuitton since 2023 and has won 13 Grammy Awards, including three Producer of the Year honors.
Williams grew up in Virginia Beach as the eldest of three sons to teacher Carolyn and handyman Pharoah Williams, with ancestry stretching back generations in Virginia and North Carolina. He met Chad Hugo in seventh-grade summer band camp in 1985, where Williams played drums and Hugo played tenor saxophone, and they later performed together in the Fabulous Marching Cavaliers at Princess Anne High School. After graduating in 1991, he attended Northwestern University for two years before dropping out to pursue music full-time, eventually forming The Neptunes after producer Teddy Riley discovered them at a high school talent show.
Williams is married to model and designer Helen Lasichanh, and together they have four children, including their son Rocket. His ethnic background is African American, with family roots tracing back many generations in Virginia and North Carolina, and one ancestor who journeyed to West Africa in 1831, prompting relatives to emigrate to Liberia in 1832. He stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches tall and is known for his distinctive fashion sense, having founded the clothing brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Clothing.
He is an Aries, born on April 5, 1973, which aligns with his bold, creative, and pioneering approach to music production.
Williams stands approximately 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm) tall.
He co-founded the record label Star Trak Entertainment with Chad Hugo in 2001 as an imprint of Arista Records.
His song "Happy" was featured in a groundbreaking 24-hour music video, the first of its kind in history, filmed on the streets of Los Angeles with celebrity cameos from Magic Johnson, Steve Carell, Jimmy Kimmel, and Jamie Foxx.
He became the 12th artist in Billboard Hot 100 history to hold both the number one and number two spots simultaneously in June 2013, with "Blurred Lines" and "Get Lucky."
I'm just very thankful. And I say that a lot because that's the most important message.
There are no mistakes or failures, only lessons.
Living your life 40 floors up, looking out every day on ocean and skies, you see the world from a different point of view.
Formed The Neptunes production duo with Chad Hugo, launching a partnership that would reshape modern popular music.
Produced Noreaga's "Superthug" as The Neptunes, marking their breakthrough into mainstream hip-hop production.
Co-founded the rock and hip-hop band N.E.R.D. with Chad Hugo and Shay Haley, serving as lead vocalist.
Launched Star Trak Entertainment record label with Chad Hugo as an imprint of Arista Records.
Produced Nelly's "Hot in Herre," which became a massive summer hit and topped the Billboard Hot 100.
Released debut solo single "Frontin'" featuring Jay-Z, which peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot 100.
Produced and featured on Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot," which became one of the biggest hits of the year.
Released debut solo album "In My Mind," which debuted at number three on the Billboard 200.
Co-wrote and produced Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines," which topped charts in 14 countries and became one of the best-selling singles of all time.
Featured on Daft Punk's "Get Lucky," which won Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 56th Grammy Awards.
Released "Happy" for the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, which topped charts in over 20 countries and earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Original Song.
Released second solo album "Girl," which peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and received positive critical acclaim.
Received second Academy Award nomination for Best Picture as a producer of the film "Hidden Figures."
Appointed as Men's creative director for Louis Vuitton, marking a major milestone in his fashion career.