2011/02/27
2011/02/26
2011/02/24
Pharrell finds freedom in N.E.R.D.
Meanwhile, N.E.R.D’s last two LPs, “Seeing Sounds” and “Nothing,” haven’t come close to reaching gold, but the group now arguably reaches a wider audience than it did in its early years. So how exactly does N.E.R.D measure success these days?
“I would say for me, we did ‘The Tonight Show With Jay Leno’ [a while] ago—everybody in the audience, they seemed like they were engaged, but it was one person in the middle of the audience who was going the f**k off,” Shay told BET.com. “I was just like ‘wow.’ I don’t know if she knew about N.E.R.D prior to our performance, but whatever it is, she’s feeling it and that‘s what keeps it going.”
While the Neptunes have taken part in their share of formulaic hits over the years, N.E.R.D prides itself on pushing the envelope. Pharrell is thankful that being safer with the Neptunes has earned him the freedom to be edgier with N.E.R.D.
“At this point N.E.R.D. has just become this giant traveling art show,” Pharrell told BET.com. “We have just been, you know, making what it is that we wanted to make, and we had a label that would support it, but there’s not a lot of people that have that freedom. I mean, definitely now it’s time to go pay the bills—gotta put out some hip-hop, but there’s not a lot of understanding chairmans out there that wanna support the art form. “
www.bet.com
www.theneptunes.org
www.theneptunes.org
2011/02/21
2011/02/20
2011/02/19
Pharrell Williams: a one-man heatwave
Pharrell Williams pouts. Like a girl. But it's so darn sexy when he does it that he gets away with it. It's Saturday night, the Standard Bank Arena in Johannesburg is packed and beads of sweat are trickling down people's foreheads.
If the golden circle wasn't like a furnace we'd blame the sweat on Skateboard P's hotness. N*E*R*D are setting up when a subtle "uh huh" comes through the booming arena speakers. He's only testing if the mic is on but the screams in the building threaten to pierce the cochlea.
It's almost time. When Hansa Pilsener announced they would be embarking on a Legends In The Making tour featuring some of Mzansi's musos, many were intrigued. When they announced that Pharrell Williams would be the headline act for the last show of the tour, every girl in the land went mad.
You see, the frontman of hip-hop rock band N*E*R*D is a hit-making producer, singer and designer whose face is, as Gabrielle Solis would say, "proof of God's existence." OK, perhaps that is a bit far-fetched but Pharrell is so fine that I swear a few journos'' hearts stopped for a few seconds when he sauntered into the press conference with N*E*R*D singer Shay Haley close behind him.
The third member of N*E*R*D, Chad Hugo, had chosen to stay in Virginia with his family instead of being here, we are told. Pharrell's look seems effortless with a white tee, blue jeans and a fresh pair of Nike Jordan III with the classic cement grey colourway.
Shay wears a Play Cloths jersey and never takes off his sunglasses. A member of the media asks them what the audience can expect from the show later on that night. Pharrell utters only one word, "Energy." He's right. The ladies are still screaming.
A couple who have been cutting up the rug to a stellar performance by Malaika seem a little out of place. They eventually concede they cannot contend with tattooed white boys with long hair and girls who are spilling out of their dresses in hopes that N*E*R*D will spot them, and they push through the crowd, stepping on our jerseys as they eagerly leave the circle.
The lights bolt into the sky and on to the stage come the people we''ve been waiting for. Their popular, frenetic "She Wants To Move" has started a mini mosh pit. They are no Rammstein but they sure are rocking the crowd. The Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream clothing label founder wasn't kidding when he said to expect energy.
Friends scream at each other. "Mister! Look at your girl! She loves it!" Pharrell shouts back. "I can see it in her eyes." He licks his lips. We're clearly more excited than the band could ever be but at the press conference Pharrell attempted to counter that with, "You guys need to understand, we're from America and we never thought we would see all of this," he said, pointing out to the city beyond.
He continued appreciatively, "And all these beautiful, beautiful girls. It's like the girls here grow on trees." There is laughter all around. With an darkroom red light behind him, Pharrell croons "Hypnotize U", the single off their fourth and latest album, Nothing. He's already caused a ruckus with "Spazz" and "Lapdance" and brought the house down with the electric guitar-led "Rockstar".
Hands shot up like skyrockets when the excellent drummer started "Sooner Or Later" and the nostalgic among us were transported back to a time when "God Bless Us All" lyrics, "With the world on your shoulders, what can you see?" were all that got them through some tough times. Now Pharrell just sings.
He's come a long way since he sounded like he was just playing with his voice for fun on the iconic single "Provider". It's endearing, but it's also surreal. Imagine this multitude of people who fill the Standard Bank Arena singing along to every word of Pharrell's verse of Snoop Dogg's "Drop It Like It's Hot".
Pharrell points the mic out to the crowd and just listens. For the whole verse. This is the last song and girls have not given up on their chance to be with the rock star.
There is an after-party after all. But, I wonder out loud, will he do the rock star thing and party with the people? As he responded when asked about his high-profile relationships, "Girls don''t like guys who kiss and tell." He paused before he winked, "See you all later."
http://www.thenewage.co.za
2011/02/16
2011/02/15
2011/02/12
N*E*R*D - conference in Sandton
The weekend that music lovers (and groupies) have been waiting for has finally arrived. As we all know hard core rock group Ramstein played yesterday, N*E*R*D (commonly known as Pharrell William’s band) is playing tonight and U2 will be rocking tommorrow. It seems that every genre and generation is catered for.
We scored an invite to a an exclusive press confrence at the Radisson Blu Hotel in Sandton where a jet lagged Pharrell Williams and Shay Hayle tried their best to answer questions. Topics ranged from what legacy N*E*R*D wanted to leave behind, how they make their music; to Pharrell’s style and beauty tips.
The forever young looking (38 year old), Pharrell greeted by saying “Good morning” even though it was already 2pm. He also struggled to answer some questions “I can’t answer that” was his response to a journalist who asked a lengthy 5 part question. He jokingly added: “Don’t be mad at me it’s the jet lag. When (camera) lights are flashing and you’ve been traveling and you don’t know what the time is…”
Another question he avoided was one relating to his love life. When a male journalist asked him to discuss the women he’s dated and the one’s he’d like to hook up with, he responded by saying “Girls don’t like guys that kiss and tell”. One woman he did mention was Naomi Campbell, he says the iconic model has taught him how to appreciate taking care of his skin.
But sex and style weren’t the only topics on the agenda. Pharrell and Shay spoke about how music is constantly evolving and how it has changed since they entered the industry. Even though Pharell did most of the talking, Shay had the best business advice on how to have staying power in the music industry “Don’t take things personally, protect yourself, save your money and pay your taxes” he said.
We were disappointed to see that the third member of the group, Chad Hugo was not there and he will not be performing tonight because he is at home with his family. But Pharrell and Shay promise that N*E*R*D puts on a great performance, with and without him.
http://blogs.timeslive.co.za/
N.E.R.D. in Las Vegas
PUMA & UNDFTD Present: Game Time – The Next Chapter of Clyde @ House of Blues. RSVP via rsvp@puma.com. 21+ only with provided ID. February 14 at 6PM…
www.bbcicecream.com/blog
2011/02/06
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