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Pharrell's Biggest Problem Isn't The Lawsuit, It's This

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In this vid we discuss all things Pharrell, fresh off of his documentary launch, Piece By Piece, recent rants about artist labor, and his lets say, antagonism towards DEI Initiatives, or him claiming to be a part of the lumpenproletariat. We examine his early career, The Neptunes as a production powerhouse, N.E.R.D. with their genre shifting discography, and his 2010s solo run that put him into the pop mainstream. We then take a look at his record label Star Trak, Teyona Taylor's experience on the label, Kelis and her problems with how Pharrell does business. We dive into the legal dispute between Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo over The Neptunes' trademark. This video explores the intricacies of `lawsuits and settlements` stemming from the `trademark registration` battle, as Hugo's attorney accuses Williams of attempting to gain sole control. We also `making music` and how it's impacted by such disputes, contrasting it with happier times like when `pharrell williams happy` was released. This `law` discussion gives context to the challenges artists face, even those who began their careers `the neptunes in the studio`.. This puts into perspective his recent meritocracy rants. As he, along with his rich musician buddies are a huge part of upholding the American dream.

00:00 Intro
02:16 From the Mud
05:21 The Neptunes dive
07:35 N.E.R.D. talk
09:35 You Got it Like That
12:33 P's Politics?
15:50 The Truth Shall Set You Free, But First it'll Piss You Off
32:21 Theres Something Wrong With That
34:35 Theory Labor and the Music Industry

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Sources:
Piece By Piece, Focus/Miramax Pictures 2024
on Jasmine Crockett: Jasmine Crockett’s “SECRET” ties to Izzy 🧐
Pharrell clips:
Pharrell on labor: Pharrell Williams on the Importance of Own...
Fashion: Pharrell Shows Off His Louis Vuitton SS24 ...
Men's Fall-Winter 2025 Behind The Scenes w...
Music: @pharrell
@nerd
https://www.netflix.com/title/80141782
Neptunes legal dispute:
Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo in legal disp...

#pharrellwilliams #theneptunes #hiphop #videoessay

20 Comments

@dryggrt 9 months ago

I remember him coming to Virginia Beach Juvenile when I was doing time there and he passed around a Rolex to some of the inmates talking about "all of you can have this, you just have to APPLY yourself" and all I could think was "this guy is fucking ridiculous". How out of touch do you have to be?

@cookie22100 9 months ago (edited)

There is a reason why Malcolm X argued that people should not listen to celebrities for political advice.

@nesciob 9 months ago

summary: billionaires shouldn't exist, even when they're cool

@Jimmy1982Playlists 9 months ago

How do so many not understand that DEI is needed for those who are already "the best" and STILL don't get hired because of their skin color or gender?!?

@Anoculture 9 months ago

Jay-Z, Pharrell and Timberland don't just want to gatekeep they have pulled the ladder up and locked all the windows and door..

@roachv2 9 months ago

Chad was half the reason Pharrell even got to the levels he did so soon. Hell all the work that went into N.E.R.D alone is a prime example of the powerhouse that was their friendship and business relationship. Sad to see how scummy he's become.

@jhighmuscle50 9 months ago

You can tell a Neptune beat from a Pharrell beat chad added that extra dope sound and he cleaned the beat up to

@songs4lizards 9 months ago

as a full-time musician and leftist: creatively, pharrell is such a huge influence - but as a person, no multi-millionaire or celebrity is worth celebrating unless they're extremely uncompromising with community-focused values and 99% of these popular musicians will drop everything, fuck over whoever to chase the bag :"/ their art can always be appreciated for its impact and ingenuity but imo NEVER trust the values of the hyper-individualist capital-clutching celebrity class. the joy of living off this artistry shit will always stem from community, not heartlessly grinding the game of social ladders and wealth acquisition

@bbwest1138 9 months ago

If they can invoke names such as Fred Hampton then these people also know about the history of the petite bourgeoisie of the upper middle class and wealthy blacks. These folks can move in circles we will NEVER move in. They will count their cash while we die. None of these people are going to pull a Schindlers list when the shit hits the fan. All we can do is enjoy the tunes and remember they can NEVER truly be our heroes.

@birchwwolf 9 months ago

"The Truth Shall Set You Free, But First it'll Piss You Off"

if that isn't the full quote already, it should be

@happygucci5094 9 months ago (edited)

Oh and please don’t skip over the fact that Kelis was the fashion girl- she put Pharrell on… Kelis is so ICONIC it hurts! And NO ONE came to lend a voice to Kelis cause. She is too fabulous, intelligent and outspoken- and left two Black men held up as icons Pharrell as producer and Nas.

We really need to do better.

@Jett_Sol 9 months ago (edited)

Pharrell and proletariat have 5 letters in common.
...similarities end there.
He clearly forgot that he's out here trying to sell (literal) million dollar crocodile LV bags. 🙄

@PeopleOverCapital 9 months ago

28:17 Just thinking about Kelis’ amoeba comment has me dead lmao

@papi_sativa 9 months ago

Pharrell must've saw the word swindler in the lumpenproletariat list and thought that meant he counted.

@leezuregamr 9 months ago (edited)

I might be a bit of a hater but ever since he came to my school to give a rambling nonsense speech my final year of college and then gave a weak opening performance to another act I saw the following weekend he's always felt like an incompetent hustler that gets too much attention by white folks. this was about 2011 and tbh I give famous folks very little leeway with nonsense. 🎩

@scarboroughdebutante 8 months ago

Sorry the way Kelis said “Chad’s so spineless it’s a wonder he can keep his neck up” is so funny.

The one additional part of the Kelis /Pharrell beef is that he had a crush on her and was mad she got with Nas and then sidelined her second album and barely worked on her third. Her Cover stories in King Magazine in 04 and 06 have all the tea. He also removed Keyshia Cole from being credited on “Let’s Get Blown” because she wouldn’t sleep with him—it’s all on her song “I Swear It”

@kotori- 9 months ago

sorry i dont have anything to add to the convo but just wanted to let you know your videos are so fantastic!!

@christianeast6320 9 months ago

19:38 love me some ashnikko and I always wondered about that track she has “featuring Kellis” when all it is was a sample. So I’m glad Kellis always approved that

@divinedelaware7541 9 months ago

How he turn on his day ones? Never thought I would see this. Damn they got Pharrell too. 😢😢

@theklr 9 months ago

The rumor is while Robin Thicke on his way out was only “gifted” blurred lines because he was petty that JT exclusively worked with Timbaland for FSLS.