The producer, musician and sometime-rapper took home his first Brit award, after a massively successful year in sales and downloads for his solo work. Pharrell Williams has won the award for international male solo artist at this year’s Brit awards, held at the O2 Arena London on 25 February. The American producer, musician and sometime-rapper pipped fellow nominees Hozier, Beck, Jack White and John Legend, nabbing his first Brit award in the process.
Williams, known for his work with rock/hip-hop band N*E*R*D and production duo The Neptunes, went from appearances on hit singles Blurred Lines and Get Lucky in 2013 to his own chart-topper with Happy in 2014. He released the solo album G I R L in February 2014, filling it with snappily produced funk and pop tracks centred on women. In September 2014, Happy was named the most downloaded song in the UK.
Williams teamed up with tongue-wagging pop star Miley Cyrus on single Come Get It Bae, and earlier this year took to the stage at Davos with Al Gore to announce plans for a Live Earth 2015 concert. Williams closed last year’s Brits ceremony with a performance of Get Lucky, Good Times and Happy alongside Chic’s Nile Rodgers. This is his first Brit award win.
*theguardian.com
*n-e-r-d.skyrock.com