Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Pharrell Williams

Discover the career path of Pharrell Williams, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Pharrell Williams is a highly influential American musician, singer, songwriter, rapper, record producer, and fashion designer. He gained prominence as one half of The Neptunes, a production duo with Chad Hugo responsible for numerous top ten hits. Williams is also the lead vocalist of the band N.E.R.D. His diverse talents have solidified his reputation as a significant force in modern popular music and fashion.

Sections (3)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements

2005: Creation of Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream Footwear

In 2005, Pharrell Williams partnered with Nigo to create the streetwear brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream footwear.

2008: Co-Designing for Louis Vuitton and Founding FOHTA

In 2008, Pharrell Williams co-designed a series of eyewear and jewelry for Louis Vuitton. Also in 2008, Williams founded the non-profit organization "From One Hand To AnOTHER" (FOHTA).

2009: Collaborative Sculpture with Takashi Murakami

In 2009, Pharrell Williams unveiled a collaborative sculpture with Takashi Murakami at Art Basel, speaking to the metaphor of value.

May 2011: Creative Director of KarmaloopTV

In May 2011, Pharrell Williams was announced as creative director of KarmaloopTV, alongside Greg Selkoe and Katie McEnroe.

2011: Announcement of After-School Center in Virginia Beach

In 2011, Pharrell Williams announced that he is building a $35 million after-school center in his home town, Virginia Beach.

May 2012: Launch of I Am Other Social Media Venture

In May 2012, Pharrell Williams launched the social media venture I Am Other.

August 2013: Creation of Moncler Lunettes Sunglasses Line

In August 2013, Pharrell Williams created a line of sunglasses for fashion brand Moncler called "Moncler Lunettes".

February 2014: Partnership with G-Star Raw for RAW for the Oceans

In February 2014, Pharrell Williams announced a collaboration between G-Star Raw and his textile company Bionic Yarn called "RAW for the Oceans," a collection of denim made from recycled plastic found in the ocean. The project was presented at the American Museum of Natural History in New York City.

April 2014: Release of i am OTHER Collection for Uniqlo

In April 2014, Pharrell Williams released a collection for retail giant Uniqlo entitled "i am OTHER". It was created with Nigo, creative director of UT, the company's T-shirt division.

June 2014: Contribution to We Are Friends With You Book

In June 2014, artist collective Rizzoli published a book by FriendsWithYou, We Are Friends With You, that featured contributions from Pharrell Williams, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Peter Doroshenko.

October 2015: Artist-in-Residence at Tisch School of the Arts

In October 2015, Pharrell Williams was named artist-in-residence at the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University.

2015: Executive Producer of Dope Film

In 2015, Pharrell Williams was the executive producer of the crime comedy-drama film Dope.

Loading Video...

July 23, 2016: Release of Adidas NMD Human Race Collection

On July 23, 2016, Pharrell Williams' Adidas NMD "Human Race" collection was released.

adidas x Pharrell NMD Human Race Core Green US 8.5

Check it on Amazon

May 17, 2017: Honorary Degree from NYU

On May 17, 2017, Pharrell Williams gave the commencement address at New York University and received an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree.

2017: Collaboration with Chanel and Adidas

In 2017, Pharrell Williams designed a €1,000 sneaker in collaboration with Chanel and Adidas.

November 2018: Performance at Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala

In November 2018, Pharrell Williams performed at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala, which raised a record high of $60 million. He also spoke about the Pittsburgh synagogue shooting.

2018: Collaboration with Ariana Grande on Sweetener Album

In 2018, Pharrell Williams collaborated with Ariana Grande on her fourth studio album, Sweetener. He produced several songs and is featured on the song "Blazed".

Loading Video...

March 2019: Launch of Something in the Water Festival

In March 2019, Pharrell Williams and the city of Virginia Beach announced the launch of a three-day music and cultural festival titled Something in the Water, held during College Beach Weekend, April 26–28, on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

April 26, 2019: Partnership with Verizon for Tech-Fused Music Curriculum

On April 26, 2019, Verizon partnered with Pharrell Williams to launch a tech-fused music curriculum in Verizon Foundation Learning schools nationwide.

2019: Internships Offered to Promise Academy Students

In 2019, Pharrell Williams offered internships to 144 students at Promise Academy in Harlem, New York City.

2019: Explanation of Four-Count Loops

In a 2019 interview with Vulture, Pharrell Williams revealed that the creation of his signature "four-count loops" at the start of his produced beats was unintentional, originating from trying to start a song on the beat.

November 2020: Launch of Humanrace Skin Care Brand

In November 2020, Pharrell Williams launched Humanrace, a skin care brand.

December 2021: Launch of Premium Basics Winter Line with Adidas Originals

In December 2021, Pharrell Williams launched the winter line "Premium basics" together with Adidas Originals.

adidas Women's x Pharrell Williams Premium Basics Boost, Cblack/Cblack/Cblack, Black, 8.5 Medium US

Check it on Amazon

June 2022: Chief Brand Officer of Doodles

In June 2022, Doodles announced Pharrell Williams as its Chief Brand Officer, and set a release date for Williams to release a Doodles album.

February 14, 2023: Appointment as Louis Vuitton's Men's Creative Director

On February 14, 2023, Louis Vuitton announced that Pharrell Williams had been appointed their new men's creative director, a position left vacant by the death of Virgil Abloh in 2021.

June 2023: Display of First Collection at Paris Men's Fashion Week

In June 2023, Pharrell Williams displayed his first collection during Paris Men's Fashion Week.

October 2024: Release of Piece by Piece Documentary Film

Pharrell William's life and career are the subject of the animated documentary film Piece by Piece, released in theaters in October 2024, created using Lego animation.

Loading Video...

February 2025: Cancellation of Golden Film

In February 2025, the film Golden, loosely based on Pharrell Williams' life, was canceled by Universal prior to post-production due to disagreements, and the film was permanently shelved.

Loading Video...

May 9, 2025: Planned Release of Golden Film

On May 9, 2025, the film Golden, loosely based on Pharrell Williams' life and directed by Michel Gondry, was set to be released but was later canceled.

Loading Video...