The long-awaited Pharrell & Kanye collab “Diamonds & Dollars” finally surfaced — and it’s a gem straight from the vaults. Word is, the track dates all the way back to 2009, but what really makes this one special is how deep the roots go. Pharrell reuses his Rap City Freestyle from 2006, that gritty flow where he channeled some serious DOOM energy. It honestly makes me wonder: was this originally meant for his In My Mind era? That cadence, the bars, even the delivery — it’s that raw, unfiltered Pharrell we rarely get to hear in studio quality.
The production? Pure Neptunes magic. You’ve got those signature cowbells, crisp live drums, and that bounce that only Chad & Pharrell could create during that era. It’s the kind of joint that reminds you why you fell in love with their sound in the first place. Minimal, percussive, hypnotic. Classic. Whether this was just a one-off session or part of a bigger vision that never saw the light, we’re just glad it finally surfaced. These types of records are reminders of the chemistry Pharrell & Ye had back then — just raw creativity. Let’s hope more joints like this leak from the vaults soon.
This rare footage below shows Kanye West vibing in the studio during the Glow in the Dark Tour era in 2008, where he previewed his collaboration with Pharrell on the track “Diamonds & Dollars.” You can tell they had plans to release the track later, but it never officially came out — a glimpse into a creative moment that almost was.
He who is my equal don’t make me holler
Titanium credit cards to match my dollars
Van-lin flats and bags by Balenciaga
On the arms of the dames of the planes I charter
We flyin’ high to Heathrow
Heartthrob gettin’ mobbed by London people
Us magazine is chasin’ ya, the camera was facin’ ya
All to get the face for the cover, bitch
Put on your Millionaires and act like you don’t love this shit
Solid gold Blackberries like I’m Richie Rich
Uno shows, pick up my two-door Rolls
The inside tan like California sand
Outside, thousands out and they’re likе “Wow, you’re wildin'”
On the table is fivе hundred thousand pilin’
BBC Polo, BBC Casio
ICECREAM skate shoes while I’m at it though
Watch the facets glow, but don’t come with no
Bull shit like a matado’ and try to grab it though
‘Cause the gats will blow, just think
You gon’ sink in that casket low, we don’t have it, yo
Chanel buckets, bitch, watch me pull down
Watch me walk around like Slick Rick in ’85
Feel like 2Pac, the world’s got eighty eyes
And they on me, the world is raunchy
Don’t get it twisted, cousin, money first, man
I keep them hit biscuits in the oven, come and see me
