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za oTS [ON THE SCENE] Friday, 18 February 2011

Pharrell Williams: a one-man heatwave

The multi-
talented
musician,
Skateboard P,
is more than a
N*E*R*D. he is,
in fact, a lyrical
Lothario

Helen Herimbi

PHARRELL Williams pouts.

Like a girl. But it’s so darn sexy
when he does it that he gets
away with it.
It’s Saturday night, the
Standard Bank Arena in
Johannesburg is packed and
beads of sweat are trickling
down people’s foreheads. If
the golden circle wasn’t like a
furnace we’d blame the sweat
on Skateboard P’s hotness.
N*E*R*D are setting up when a
subtle “uh huh” comes through
the booming arena speakers.
He’s only testing if the mic is on
but the screams in the building
threaten to pierce the cochlea.
It’s almost time.
When Hansa Pilsener
announced they would be
embarking on a Legends
In The Making tour featur-
ing some of Mzansi’s musos,
many were intrigued. When
they announced that Pharrell
Williams would be the head-
PHARRELL WILLIAMS AND SHAY HALEY CHARM THE PRESS.
line act for the last show of the
tour, every girl in the land went attempted to counter that with, were all that got them through
mad. You see, the frontman of “You guys need to understand, some tough times.
hip-hop rock band N*E*R*D is we’re from America and we Now Pharrell just sings.
a hit-making producer, singer never thought we would see all He’s come a long way since he
and designer whose face is, as of this,” he said, pointing out to sounded like he was just play-
Gabrielle Solis would say, “proof the city beyond. ing with his voice for fun on
of God’s existence.” He continued appreciatively, the iconic single “Provider”.
OK, perhaps that is a bit “And all these beautiful, beauti- It’s endearing, but it’s also sur-
far-fetched but Pharrell is so ful girls. It’s like the girls here real. Imagine this multitude of
fine that I swear a few journos’ grow on trees.” There is laugh- people who fill the Standard
hearts stopped for a few sec- ter all around. Bank Arena singing along to
onds when he sauntered into With an darkroom red light every word of Pharrell’s verse
the press conference with behind him, Pharrell croons of Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like
N*E*R*D singer Shay Haley “Hypnotize U”, the single off It’s Hot”. Pharrell points the mic
close behind him. The third their fourth and latest album, out to the crowd and just listens.
N*E*R*D WHIP THE JO’BURG CROWD INTO A FRENZY. PICTURES: SCOTT SMITH
member of N*E*R*D, Chad Nothing. He’s already caused a For the whole verse.
Hugo, had chosen to stay in Vir- show later on that night. dresses in hopes that N*E*R*D rocking the crowd. ruckus with “Spazz” and “Lap- This is the last song and
ginia with his family instead of Pharrell utters only one word, will spot them, and they push The Billionaire Boys Club dance” and brought the house girls have not given up on their
being here, we are told. “Energy.” through the crowd, stepping on and Ice Cream clothing label down with the electric guitar- chance to be with the rock star.
Pharrell’s look seems effort- He’s right. The ladies are still our jerseys as they eagerly leave founder wasn’t kidding when he led “Rockstar”. There is an after-party after
less with a white tee, blue jeans screaming. A couple who have the circle. said to expect energy. Friends Hands shot up like skyrock- all. But, I wonder out loud, will
and a fresh pair of Nike Jordan been cutting up the rug to a The lights bolt into the sky scream at each other. “Mister! ets when the excellent drummer he do the rock star thing and
III with the classic cement grey stellar performance by Malaika and on to the stage come the Look at your girl! She loves it!” started “Sooner Or Later” and party with the people? As he
colourway. Shay wears a Play seem a little out of place. They people we’ve been waiting for. Pharrell shouts back. “I can see the nostalgic among us were responded when asked about
Cloths jersey and never takes eventually concede they can- Their popular, frenetic “She it in her eyes.” He licks his lips. transported back to a time his high-profile relationships,
off his sunglasses. A member of not contend with tattooed white Wants To Move” has started We’re clearly more excited when “God Bless Us All” lyr- “Girls don’t like guys who kiss
the media asks them what the boys with long hair and girls a mini mosh pit. They are no than the band could ever be but ics, “With the world on your and tell.” He paused before he
audience can expect from the who are spilling out of their Rammstein but they sure are at the press conference Pharrell shoulders, what can you see?” winked, “See you all later.”