VIRGINIA BEACH - Pharrell Williams, the Grammy Award-winning musician from Virginia Beach, plans to open a computer-based community resource center in the city.

The project is in the early planning stages, and city officials could not comment on its scope, but Williams has outlined his vision for the center.

Don Maxwell, director of economic development in Virginia Beach, said Tuesday: "The only thing I can say is that I am having meetings directly with Pharrell as well as some of the members of his staff in regards to what I consider to be a fairly major project that will benefit our community, especially for the underprivileged youth in our community."

Williams said he's in talks with the Microsoft and Apple corporations, which he hopes will outfit the center with computers and wire the facility. A local architect has been tapped to design the building, he said, and he plans to have the Discovery Channel chronicle the site's development. He wants computer science majors from local colleges to earn credit for tutoring students at the facility.

Williams is one-half of the musical duo known as The Neptunes. With his partner, Chad Hugo, Williams has crafted hits for entertainers including Britney Spears, Jay-Z and Justin Timberlake. He's one of music's most recognizable and in-demand personalities, with two Grammy awards and a new job as accessories designer and model for the luxury house Louis Vuitton.

He often pays homage to Virginia in his hip-hop songs. Williams, who noted his early upbringing in the Atlantis Apartments and the lack of opportunities available to young people from low-income neighborhoods, said the center will serve as a place to inspire and educate.

"The reason why I'm starting this center is there are so many routes you can take as a young minority in Virginia. You can have somebody teach you in the hood how to make, manufacture and intend to distribute crack cocaine, or we could buckle down and educate our youth, and one of these kids could be the next chemist for Pfizer.

"One of these kids could end up being the guy that murdered somebody, or he could go to defend his country. We've got to do something about it. We've got to stand up for our youth."

Details about the center - such as its location, capacity and cost - have to be determined, but Maxwell said he hopes to complete plans and present them to the City Council in August.

"We'd like to formally adopt it as soon as possible thereafter based on their review and comments and be ready to implement as quickly as possible."

Maxwell said he was excited about the venture. "Pharrell is a huge name. It's a great thing to see someone who's been successful come back to our community and make a contribution towards learning and lifelong education."

"It's going to be amazing," Williams said. "First of all, it's going to be one of the most beautiful buildings ever built in Virginia."

The local architect, whom Williams did not name, has agreed to donate blueprints for the space, he said, and others have pledged materials and money. He's putting what he called "a big chunk" of his money into it, he said.

"I'm very happy city officials have been compliant in helping out. I love my city, I love my town. What I wanted to do is make it so computers are readily available to these kids just like everybody else. It's really going to be a beautiful thing for our kids."

Reach Malcolm Venable at (757) 446-2662 or malcolm.venable@pilotonline.com.


Pharrell visits hometown

Super producer Pharrell Williams of the Neptunes has become the latest hip hop cultural icon to take part in HP’s Computer is Personal Again ad campaign.

After receiving an incredible audience reaction from its up-close, unique commercial with Jay-Z, HP decided to call on Williams to continue its Computer is Personal Again ad campaign for the HP Pavilion line of entertainment notebooks.

Just like Hov’s HP commercial, Williams’ spot was shot from his shoulders to his waist, as Skateboard P explains how he gets personal on his HP Pavilion entertainment notebook via his hands.

While Hov’s spot may have been more regal in a sense, P’s commercial is more carefree, but yet entrepreneurial at the same time.

“I’m way into the whole retro gaming thing. I mean it takes me back to being a kid in Virginia Beach,” says Williams, who uses his hands as paddles to play the classic video game, Pong, before throwing up his traditional Star Trak sign. “I have my own pro skate team. I have photos of all these guys in here.”

When Williams mentions his skate team, he bends his arm downward and diagonally, while a skater speeds down an animated rail appearing on his arm.

In his spot, Williams also reveals that he “emails sketches halfway around the world” to work with his business partner Nigo in Japan. Nigo is the creator of the appealing A Bathing Ape clothing line.

During the spot P also claims to be able to see music and reveals that he likes to keep a scrapbook in his notebook, with all the visual images that he loves.

Later, P throws on his multi-colored chain with an animated character resembling himself and a “Williams” nameplate, before exclaiming his famous catchphrase “Yessir” to end the commercial.

HP began its signature series of Pavilion commercials (shot from the shoulders to waist) for the Computer is Personal Again campaign with U.S. Olympic snowboarding gold medalist Shaun White. From there, HP rolled out with its spot featuring Def Jam President Shawn Carter aka Jay-Z.

“Williams is such a unique, intriguing figure in hip hop, pop culture. Just like Jay-Z he has so many things going on and his personality came out great in the ad,” Roman exclusively told Vibe.com.

from vibe.com

That's sweet of him.

Pharrell swept across the nation in a blizzard of appearances and performances this week promoting his debut album IN MY MIND. He's freestyled on BET's RapCity, appeared on TRL and performed his hit duet NUMBER 1 on 106 & Park with a jubilant Jamie Foxx as well as Leno and last night on Kimmel but we have yet to see Pharrell perform with Kanye himself. Well folkz, on August 4, 2006 that will come to an end as Williams and West will perform live together on the ABC Good Morning America Summer Concert Series and THATS NOT ALL. There are rumblings from the Getting Out Our Dreams camp that there may even be a Williams/West cd released at some point in the future. There was reportedly such an incredible artistic gelling between them that they ended up with several additional tracks in the bag. And thats whatsup! Yezzur!

The 4th single from Pharrell's debut disc will be Baby f/ Nelly. So far its turning out to be a real fan favorite. Pharrell of the Neptunes has worked with Nelly on previous tracks such as If(from the Neptunes Present's Clones), Flap Your Wings(from Sweat Suit), and the 2002 interantional smash Hot in Herre(from Nellyville).

gosh he's so lovable

missfee said:

7-30-06
By Steve Jones
USA Today

Pharrell Williams the producer is used to making big hits with big stars. Pharrell Williams the artist has more modest aspirations for his solo album, "In My Mind," which went on sale Tuesday after several delays.

Williams splits the album between hip-hop and R&B tracks, which he says are for "the small society of people who think for themselves. It's all about individuality."

The more visible half of the hit-making Neptunes (producer Chad Hugo is his partner) describes the songs as "those explorative kind of conversations with yourself. I consider this album as just a paragraph in the book of my career." That's a pretty thick book, filled with nearly a decade of propelling platinum hits by such diverse acts as No Doubt, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, Justin Timberlake, Usher and Britney Spears. He also has taken more artistic turns with 2003's "The Neptunes Present . . . Clones" and two albums with their alternative rock band, "N.E.R.D."

The perpetually busy Williams says another "N.E.R.D." album is in the works, as are new projects on their Star Trak Records label from Robin Thicke, Slim Thug, The Clipse and Snoop Dogg. "In My Mind" was supposed to come out late last year to take advantage of the single "Can I Have It Like That," with Gwen Stefani. But Williams was so busy producing the likes of Jay-Z, Omarion, Snoop Dogg, Stefani and others that he never got to his own record.

Williams, whose raspy tenor is often heard on his productions, shows a sensitive side on his R&B tracks, while his raps are more introspective.
He also plays off his youthful alter ego, Skateboard P. "That's me looking back and realizing what I was into when I was a teenager," says Williams, who sponsors the nationally touring Ice Cream Skate Team. Williams' Billionaire Boys Club clothing line and Ice Cream brand sneakers are sold in exclusive shops worldwide. He opened a Billionaire Boys Club boutique in Tokyo last November.

http://www.indystar.com/a...-1/ZONES04

I love this boy. Why can't I meet him????

I love his HP commercial, especially the part where he uses his hands to play Pong but it looks like he's doing the robot and when he shows a video clip and says "I gotta send that to my brother". Actually all the HP ads are pretty cool.

JackieBlue said:

Yeah, these have got 2 b my favorite series of tv ads. They r just so cool.

Michael Jackson loves the kids more.

Pharrell is a nice dude...

Damn! Pharrell looks good in that pic and he loves the kids-that's great!

I'm glad those 100 dollar t-shirts are going somewhere useful.

lilgish said:

Yeah, he ALMOST makes u wanna buy one.

dreamfactory313 said:

like you don't own one already, or at least a bootleg one.

lilgish said:

No actually I dont own one at all and I dont do bootleg. Thank u.

I once asked cinistercee if he wanted 2 go in half on a t-shirt. Im not sure if he's still down 4 it though.

dreamfactory313 said:

R.Kelly

dreamfactory313 said:

I really like them too. They're very cool.

Anyway, this is a good story. Hopefully he won't turn down Oprah when he get's the "O" invite.

lilgish said:

Don Cannon and DJ JayCee of The Aphilliates DJ coalition of Atlanta, Georgia team up with Virginia's dopest beatsmith, Pharrell aka. Skateboard P. Stopping by to co-sign and host this mixtape, the Star Trak/Neptunes voyager will have you feeling like Deja Vu on this R&B/blends mixtape.

Featuring a gang of new R&B, including recent joints with Pharrell and Jay-Z, Snoop & Luda, as well as a handful of new blends/remixes. This mixtape features new music from Lupe Fiasco & Jill Scott among others.

http://www.mixunit.com/dejavu.html

anon said:

I dont think Skateboard P has any axe to grind w/ Oprah. I think he'd welcome the invite as did Kanye.

With all of the money he's made, it is indeed a great thing to see him with his head still on straight enough that he will focus some $$$$ positive nurting for children.

This is a good thing to hear about!

Not to mention his involvement with the Voltron movie. Skateboard P loves us all!

props to 4real.


maybe this isnt the right thread ..but does anyone else think his bbc clothing line is well...crappy? lol the designs are awful lookin.

Its been a while since I last updated this thread.

The next single from Pharrell's debut In My Mind is a track with Nelly called "Baby". The video has already been shot. Its one of the best tracks from the disc, imo. Its sure to get tons of radio airplay.

And...

Pharrell has been added as a performer on this years MTV Video Music Awards which will air on August 31st.

It's nice to see somebody remembering that there are kids out there that need help and is willing to step up to the plate!

Bravo! Pharrell


Now, let's see P Doody and the like, jump on that bandwagon!

Nice to see that he's really helping out the kids. Plus, he looks good in tha pic. Work it out Pharrell.