by Marlon West (FB: marlon.west1 Threads: @stlmarlonwest IG: stlmarlonwest Spotify: marlonwest)
Happy Music Monday, you all. It’s a friend and selector, Marlon again. The upcoming U.S. release this Friday, October 11 of PIECE BY PIECE, the animated biopic/documentary/musical about prolific producer/artist Pharrell Williams, served as a nice reminder of just how much work and influence Williams has had from the 1990s to the present.
Veteran documentary director Morgan Neville crafted a freewheeling narrative that follows Williams’ humble beginnings in Virginia Beach, Virginia to becoming one of the most influential music producers of the 21st century.
I’ve gathered hours of tracks in “Alright: The Essential Pharrell Williams” playlist that feature production work by Pharrell and Chad Hugo as The Neptunes. I have included their work with N.E.R.D., alongside Shay Haley.
Of course, there are dozens of hits that he produced, wrote, and sang on. Not to mention his solo work that includes five new tracks for the new film.
Here’s Pharrell Williams’ writing of Teddy Riley‘s verse on Wreckx-n-Effect‘s hit “Rump Shaker”. There are cuts produced by the The Neptunes for a multitude of artists, including Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani, Kelis, N.O.R.E., Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Snoop Dogg, and so many others.
You’ll find Williams’ debut single, “Frontin'” (featuring Jay-Z), him and T.I. on Robin Thicke’s 2013 single “Blurred Lines”, and guest appearances alongside Nile Rodgers on Daft Punk‘s “Get Lucky” and “Lose Yourself to Dance”.
Please enjoy the eclectic playlist of tracks by Pharrell Williams in his many modes. Look for a repost of Halloween music later this month for your candy-slinging pleasure.
As always, stay safe, sane, and kind.
You can also check out the 2020 Netflix series