In Search of Pharrell Williams

First substantial overview of the life and career of Pharrell Williams, the foremost producer of the modern era, and performer in his own right. It follows him from his days growing up in Virginia, his meeting with musical partner Chad Hugo and formation of The Neptunes, through his collaborations with the great and the good of pop, rap and R&B, including Jay-Z, Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Gwen Stefani, Nelly and Kelis. It assesses his ground-breaking work with the radical rap-rock-pop band N*E*R*D, and his emergence as a solo superstar via Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Robin Thicke’s controversial Blurred Lines and global mega-hit Happy. It delves behind the immaculate facade to find out what makes Williams one of the most driven and inventive musicians of the last 20 years

Author Biography

Paul Lester was Features Editor at Melody Maker during grunge and Britpop and went on to become Deputy Editor of Uncut. He went freelance in 2007. Since then he has worked for the Guardian, Sunday Times, Daily Express, Record Collector, Scotsman and Classic Rock and written books on Wire, Gang Of Four, Pink, Dizzee Rascal and Lady Gaga. He writes the Guardian New Band of the Day column and presents a weekly show on Amazing Radio