By the onslaught of attention he’s gotten recently, you’d think Pharrell Williams was a fresh new face on the music scene. He’s made headlines left and right in 2014 for both his style — a series of Arby’s-esque hats— and for “Happy,” his Billboard Hot 100 No. 1 hit and Oscar-nominated song. Monday he released what is shockingly only his second studio album, “G I R L.” But the dude has been around for a very long time — his first solo single dropped in 2003. As for his production work, that dates back more than two decades to 1992. In other words, Pharrell being good at music: not a new thing!
To prove it to you, here are 10 hits the music master had a hand in.
Wreckx-n-Effect: “Rump Shaker” (1992)
Pharrell cut his teeth with this Wreckx-n-Effect track featuring Teddy Riley, which hit No. 2 on the Hot 100. Pharrell was one of the song’s writers.
Britney Spears: “I’m a Slave 4 U” (2001)
Pharrell and three of his pals formed the producing group the Neptunes, which was responsible for one of Britney Spears’ biggest hits of her career.
Nelly: “Hot in Herre” (2002)
The Neptunes also gave Nelly a smash.
Justin Timberlake: “Rock Your Body” (2003)
Justin Timberlake’s foray into a solo career was largely orchestrated by Pharrell, who wrote and produced much of “Justified.”
Pharrell feat. Jay-Z: “Frontin’ ” (2003)
Pharrell’s first single as a solo artist was boosted by a Jay-Z feature.
Snoop Dogg feat. Pharrell: “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (2004)
Snoop Dogg wasn’t the first star to feature Pharrell on a single, but this pairing was Pharrell’s first credited feature to reach mainstream success.
Gwen Stefani: “Hollaback Girl” (2005)
Though his own single with Gwen Stefani didn’t heat up the charts, he played a big part in her success as a single artist, including as a writer and producer on this song.
Ludacris feat. Pharrell: “Money Maker” (2006)
Ludacris got a taste of the Pharrell magic on this No. 1 hit.
Robin Thicke feat. Pharrell: “Blurred Lines” (2013)
Robin Thicke’s song of the summer wouldn’t have gotten anywhere were it not for Pharrell.
Daft Punk feat. Pharrell: “Get Lucky” (2013)
With the one-two punch of this assist for Daft Punk and “Blurred Lines,” 2013 was officially the singer’s most high-profile year.