Kanye West on Pharrell Williams and Black Music of Virginia

Yes, we are still talking about the time Kanye West and Pharrell Williams sat down and had a riveting chat about black culture, black music, and Michael Jackson. How can you not when something so legendary happens that it feels like all that was said is quotable.

In the interview, Kanye West said, “Everything looks and feels more and more like what Pharrell started.” He talked in awe of how Pharrell Williams has the “fearlessness to break the mold,” talking about the time he appeared on The Source cover with a skateboard and also wore pink polo long before Kanye brought it into fashion.

In addition, Kanye talked about the relevance of Virginia during the New Jack Swing era in bringing Black music to the forefront. “I want to talk about Virginia and how important Virginia is to black music,” Kanye West said. “People talk about the importance of Detroit, but modern black music is Virginia! From Teddy to Pharrell to Timbaland, and what’s my man from Jodeci? DeVanté!”

Kanye also talked about how Pharrell brought his own punk approach to gospel music, creating a whole new Virginia sound. “I cannot even put into words what those gospel chords do to me,” Kanye West said. “They rip me out. And then Pharrell took a punk approach to gospel chords. Pharrell is punk. That’s what that is. When you started using live drums. That moment. Man, you’re one of the best.”

Kanye and Pharrell have collaborated since 2006. Pharrell’s  “Number One” had Kanye featuring as well as Kanye’s  “30 Hours,” “Gotta Have It,” and “Life Off.” had Pharrell featuring.

By: Nupur Saraswat