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Pharrell Williams Biography

Birth Name:Pharrell Williams

Birth Place:Virginia Beach, Virginia, United States

Profession Soundtrack, Producer, Actor, Music department, Writer

Fast Facts

His group the Neptunes produced many musical hits
Nominated for Teen Choice Awards for the songs "Get Lucky" and "Blurred Lines" in 2013
Received an ASCAP Film and Television Music Award for top box office film "Despicable Me" in 2011
Received Grammys for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical and Best Pop Vocal Album in 2004
Musical producer Timbaland is his cousin
Graduated from Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Went to Northwestern University but did not receive a degree
Studied at Northwestern University for two years before dropping out to pursue his interest in music
Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Began as a drummer at a local jazz band camp at the age of 12, where he met friend and future collaborator Chad Hugo
Was found to have produced 43% of the songs played on U․S․ radios in 2003
Released the first 24-hour music video in 2013, for his song "Happy," featured in the film "Despicable Me 2․"
Is interested in sculpture and astronomy
Was a member of N*E*R*D (the acronym stands for "Nothing Ever Really Dies"), which released the albums "In Search Of․․․" in 2002 and "Fly or Die" in 2004

Awards

2003Black Reel-Best Song: nominated
2003Golden Satellite Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2011ASCAP Award-Top Box Office Films: winner
2011Annie-Best Music in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
2014Oscar-Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures, Original Song: nominated
2014Annie-Outstanding Achievement in Music in an Animated Feature Production: nominated
2014Black Reel-Outstanding Song: nominated
2014Critics Choice Award-Best Song: nominated
2014OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2014Teen Choice Award-Choice Music Single: Male: nominated
2014World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: winner
2015Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2016HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Feature Film: nominated
2016Sierra Award-Best Song: nominated
2017Oscar-Best Motion Picture of the Year: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Score: nominated
2017Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2017Christopher Award-Feature Films: winner
2017DFCS Award-Best Original Score: nominated
2017Gold Derby Film Award-Motion Picture: nominated
2017Golden Globe-Best Original Score - Motion Picture: nominated
2017HMMA Award-Best Song - Animated Film: nominated
2017HFCS Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2017OFTA Film Award-Best Music, Original Song: nominated
2017PGA Award-Outstanding Producer of Theatrical Motion Pictures: nominated
2017Satellite Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2017World Soundtrack Award-Best Original Song Written Directly for a Film: nominated
2018Daytime Emmy-Outstanding Musical Performance in a Daytime Program: nominated
2018Grammy-Best Score Soundtrack for Visual Media: nominated
2018Grammy-Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media: nominated
2019Hollywood Film Award-Song of the Year: winner
2019HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary: nominated
2020Primetime Emmy-Outstanding Original Music and Lyrics: nominated
2024Astra Award-Best Original Song: nominated
2024HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Documentary Film: nominated
2024HMMA Award-Best Original Song - Animated Film: nominated
2024HMMA Award-Best Music Documentary/Special Program: winner
2025Annie-Outstanding Achievement for Music in an Animated Feature: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Song: nominated
2025Black Reel-Outstanding Original Song: nominated
2025NDFS Award-Best Original Song: nominated