Pharrell Williams, Entrepreneur | Track Review 🎵

Pharrell Williams enlists JAY-Z for “Entrepreneur,” a powerful though quirky record for racially charged times such as these.

Pharrell Williams is 47 years old – hard to believe.  Sometimes, as musicians who have been around for years age, grow more ‘conservative’ from a musical standpoint.  That certainly isn’t the case for Williams, period. The sound of his new single, “Entrepreneur,” is enough to remind folks that Williams sounds much younger than his middle agedness would lead you to believe.  The innovative spirit is still ripe AF on this collaboration with another middle aged OG, JAY-Z. Jay will be 51 by the end of 2020 –  “December 4^th” baby!

Focusing on “Entrepreneur,” the sound of the record is hella distinct – there’s just no other way to put it, honestly.  Pharrell Williams has always been known for his quirky, left of center productions and “Entrepreneur” might just sit atop the list for being so, um, otherworldly.  One of his odder productions to date was “the light is coming” (Ariana Grande, Sweetener, 2018).  Interestingly, “Entrepreneur” has some parallels to the number, with the vocal loop and the nontraditional sound.   The joint possesses an odd groove, with a colorful harmonic progression and a mix of whispering and singing from Williams – it’s bizarre to say the least.

As weird as it is on the ears, and as odd as the delivery may be, the lyrics and the socially conscious ideas are on-point.  Here’s a prime example.  “In this position with no choice / A system imprison young black boys,” Williams asserts on the first verse, adding later, “Y’all wasn’t supposed to make it off Section Eight / Robbin’ Peter just to pay Paul / Prepare to risk everything.” JAY-Z supports Pharrell with a very pro-black verse, capped off with “Black nation, black builder, black entrepreneur / You in the presence of Black Excellence and I’m on the board.”  Did “black man” need to be repeated a bajillion times? No, of course not, but Williams wanted to emphasize his point.

Final Thoughts

So, what does one make of “Entrepreneur” all said and done? The message is indisputable – I see Pharrell and JAY’s point without question.  What is polarizing is the sound of the record, which isn’t for everybody.  When I first heard about this song, I was excited to hear it but surprised and off put by the end product.  It grew on me a bit with a couple of listens. That said, I understand why many have panned it and completely wrote it off.  The message earns it some points.

Pharrell Williams • “Entrepreneur” (Ft. JAY-Z) • Columbia • Release: 8.21.20

Photo Credit: Columbia