As featured in the Irish Independent’s Insider mag every Thursday. Spotify and Youtube playlists below.
Mr Williams and his giant hat have been all over the place in the last year and a half, engineering hits for Robin Thicke, singing on the song of last summer, ‘Get Lucky’, releasing his own debut album, and most recently, turning 40 while still looking like a skateboard kid. Good genes and good tunes. Here are ten tracks of note Pharrell has had a hand in since changing the sound of pop with The Neptunes in the late-nineties.
1. Old Dirty Bastard feat. Kelis – ‘Got Your Money’
There was a time where the song was basically a requirement at every club in the land.
2. N.E.R.D. – ‘She Wants To Move’
Yes, that is Britain’s Got Talent judge/ former Mis teeq rapper Alesha Dixon in the video.
3. Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell – ‘Drop It Like It’s Hot’
It’s some sort of production genius to make a beat out of tongue clicks.
4. Gwen Stefani – ‘Hollaback Girl’
This shit is bananas. B-A-N-A-N-A-S. This still sounds futuristic 10 years later.
5. Kelis – ‘Milkshake’
An instant classic the day it was released in 2003.
6. Clipse – ‘Grindin’
More minimal bass and beat sumptuousness.
7. Britney Spears – ‘Boys’
This song was originally intended for Janet Jackson.
8. Future – ‘Move That Dope’
Pharrell rapped for the first time in ages this year and equipped himself well among some heavy-hitters.
9. Justin Timberlake – ‘Senorita’
The perfect curtain closer to any good night out, because it holds the key to a dancefloor by encouraging the boys and girls to mingle.
10. Pharrell – ‘Happy’
Luckily for Pharrell, Cee Loo Green passed on this song, which means Cee Lo is almost directly responsible for Pharrell crying on Oprah.
Listen to the Spotify playlist:
Previous Insider playlists:
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