GRAMMY Award-winning and Academy Award®-nominated musician Pharrell Williams has unveiled the official music video for his new original song, “Piece By Piece.” Directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, the video blends footage from the animated biopic Piece By Piece and new LEGO® animation.
The music video follows the release of the full soundtrack for the major motion picture Piece By Piece, which includes five original songs by Williams. Among these tracks are “Piece By Piece,” featuring the Princess Anne High School Fabulous Marching Cavaliers, and other songs like “It’s Happening,” “VIRGINIA Boy (Remix)” featuring Tyler, the Creator, “L’EGO Odyssey,” and “For Real.”
In addition to new tracks, the soundtrack features 16 of Pharrell’s greatest hits from his storied career, including collaborations with artists like Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg, Kendrick Lamar, Justin Timberlake, and Gwen Stefani.
Pharrell, who is also the Louis Vuitton menswear Creative Director, continues to expand his artistic influence with this latest venture into film music, blending his distinct musical style with animation in Piece By Piece.
Piece By Piece, the Lego-animated biopic/documentary about the life and career of Pharrell Williams is out now. Although its box office receipts don’t exactly reflect it, it’s one of the most innovative and interesting examples of the genre, even with a growing number of “weird” biopics on the market. The new music video for its title track is a shining microcosm of the vibrancy of the film, including clips from the movie’s musical sequence highlighting the song and bits and pieces (heh) from throughout its colorful narrative.
The film knows it’s an unusual take on the genre, too, pointing out repeatedly that animating a story — with Lego pieces, no less — is a move most musicians wouldn’t take. Pharrell even went so far as hiding its animated format from some of the interview subjects, like Jay-Z and Kendrick Lamar, to ensure they’d give more naturalistic responses. The result is as visually stunning as Pharrell’s production catalog has been for audiences’ ears for the past 20 years — although it does take a few liberties with the facts of Pharrell’s development as an artist and a pitchman. It’s still fun to see little animated details on the Lego avatars of his collaborators, like Lego Snoop Dogg’s little pocket bandana or Lego Gwen Stefani’s painted-on, Rocksteady-era abs. It’s worth checking it out, when you get some time.
In the meantime, you can watch the “Piece By Piece” video above.
Pharrell Williams gives an arrangement of flowers at his NYC Piece By Piece Premiere
The New York City red carpet premiere of Piece By Piece, held on Wednesday, October 9th, at Jazz at Lincoln Center, was an unforgettable evening filled with stars, nostalgia, and unexpected moments. Among the celebrities in attendance were Pharrell Williams, A$AP Ferg, Pusha T, N.O.R.E, Bianca Lawson, Teddy Riley, and Nigel Sylvester. However, one of the most touching moments of the night came when Pharrell paused an interview to give journalist Courtney Brown her well-deserved “flowers” for the role she played in his early career.
Courtney Brown and Pharrell Williams
During the red carpet interview, Pharrell surprised Brown, a former music industry insider who spent years with Pharrell in the studio, by taking the microphone and reflecting on the pivotal influence she had on his journey. In an emotional tribute, Pharrell said, “So, y’all gotta understand. Courtney was there in the very beginning. She was there when Rob discovered Kelis and introduced her to me, you were her best friend. But what I will say is The Source is so lucky to have this person that not only knows about rap music but music period. I know this because I was there, I remember you asking all of the questions then—I should have known that this is what you were gonna do, but I didn’t.”
Courtney Brown and Clipse
Pharrell continued, praising Brown’s deep curiosity and knowledge about music culture, adding, “You asked all the most amazing questions, always so inquisitive about culture. If there was something I wasn’t up on, you were like telling me all about it. I heard about the A$AP crew through you. So many things I learned through you. I really did. And so I just want to make sure that I give you flowers—not flowers, but an arrangement—a bouquet of everything I know of you that I experienced myself.”
For Brown, who spent her early years in the industry as Kelis’s best friend and a fixture in Pharrell’s studio sessions, the moment was both surreal and heartwarming. She recalled watching Pharrell’s journey from those early days in the studio, where he would juggle working on multiple songs at once, his creativity and talent already evident.
Producer Teddy Riley and Courtney Brown
The premiere of Piece By Piece was a testament to Pharrell’s remarkable career, from his roots as a young producer to becoming a global superstar. The film, directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, is a unique LEGO®-animated biopic that delves into Pharrell’s evolution as an artist, producer, and cultural icon. Featuring appearances by Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, and Snoop Dogg, the movie explores Pharrell’s journey with vibrant, joyful storytelling.
As Brown watched the film, she was moved to tears, reminiscing about the many moments she shared with Pharrell during the early days of his career. She reflected on his unique style and creativity, and how he introduced his N.E.R.D. and “Skateboard P” to the world. The film beautifully captures Pharrell’s sensitive, introspective side, showcasing the doubts and fears that only a true empath like him could reveal.
Pharrell’s tribute to Brown on the red carpet was a fitting reminder of the impact they had on one another. His heartfelt words, combined with the inspiring narrative of Piece By Piece, made it clear that Pharrell’s journey is not just about his individual success but also about the people who influenced him along the way.
As Pharrell concluded his tribute, he reflected on the significance of the film, saying, “And that is the reason why we did this film—because it gives me a platform to give flowers to all the things that have influenced me, all the people, all the situations, all the moments, and you were definitely one of those people. Harlem once again. Thank you for everything.”
Piece By Piece is now in theaters, offering a captivating blend of LEGO animation and Pharrell’s iconic music. The film is a must-see for fans of all ages, as it celebrates the creative genius of Pharrell Williams and the people who helped shape his extraordinary career. Prepare to be inspired by this one-of-a-kind cinematic experience, which merges breathtaking animation with an exploration of Pharrell’s journey from a small-town dreamer to a global icon.
Watch the lost audio files of the interview below.
Watch the trailer for Piece By Piece below.
In theaters now!
photos by: Shots By Sean Bell
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Pharrell is celebrating the release of his LEGO biopic Piece By Piece and its accompanying soundtrack, featuring some of his best, biggest, and most iconic hits along with a few new records. Moreover, one of these is the “VIRGINIA BOY” remix with Tyler, The Creator, which fans were very receptive to given their chemistry. But don’t sleep on the expansive and wondrous “L’EGO Odyssey,” which combines the producer and fashion creative’s love of drama and atmosphere with some very interesting percussive choices, otherworldly synths, and his trademark earthy playfulness.
Furthermore, “L’EGO Odyssey” kicks off with a spotlit choir, followed by crisp Latin-inspired percussion and rubbery bass. The “Beautiful” star builds the progressive and ascending instrumental with string arrangements, quirky synths, bit-crushed hits of percussion, a brass section, and eventually, more grand and orchestral drums. In addition, it’s an easy song to get absolutely lost in, something that’s always been a quality of Pharrell’s vibrant and more ambitious production efforts. Fortunately, this being a soundtrack cut doesn’t make it as forced, clean, corporate, or corny as you might expect on paper.
What’s more is that the Virginia native has much more to look forward to soon, as he will co-chair the 2025 Met Gala alongside A$AP Rocky. In all his endeavors, Pharrell stays winning. If you haven’t heard “L’EGO Odyssey” or the Piece By Piece soundtrack yet, you can find it on YouTube below or via your favorite streaming service. Down there, you can also find some standout lyrics and the comments section for you to drop your thoughts on the song. As always, come back to HNHH for the best new music drops around the clock.
Quotable Lyrics Mr. Know-It-All, who wants to show it off, You’re no longer burning, if you know it all, Never too high to fall, you’re gonna blow it all, Don’t you know the law? Only God knows it all
Pharrell Williams’ LEGO biopic, Piece By Piece, is in theaters as of yesterday, and we want to start off by congratulating him! The actor, producer, rapper, singer, and everything in between has fans and critics raving about the project so far! It has a respectable review from IMD.b of a 7.1 out of 10, and Rotten Tomatoes has a fan score of 91% and a critic score of 81%! We are wishing him nothing but the best going forward with this bold and creative motion picture. In typical fashion, though, Mr. Williams wasn’t just going to gift us a film, we have some new original music accompanying it.
One of the tracks that we have been replaying heavily has been Pharrell and Tyler, The Creator’s “VIRGINIA Boy – Remix.” The influential legend and his modern-day reincarnation are once again having a great time on a track together as they rap about where they’re from and detail it’s vital features. “Hawthorne, Inglewood, West Side, that side / I will kick, kick, kick, push to the other side / South Bay where they drown if they get it out of line / Dark red, light blue, and they keep a magic wand (Boom),” Tyler raps, for instance. Production of the song is handled entirely by Pharrell and its pure excellence. It exudes swagger right from the jump thanks to its bouncy West Coast beat and its saxophone bits. Give the track a spin with the link below.
“VIRGINIA Boy – Remix” – Pharrell Williams & Tyler, The Creator
Quotable Lyrics:
Yes, it is heat magnum, the verb lord Mermaid city is where I was born, off of— I prefer words instead of usin’ swords But heads are comin’ off once I press record First keyboard was Korg, and then Triton I’m simply recitin’, none of this I’m writin’
Last night, the heart of New York City pulsed with creativity and star power as Jazz at Lincoln Center hosted the unforgettable premiere of the highly anticipated film, Piece by Piece, a vibrant celebration of Pharrell Williams’ iconic life and career. The event drew an impressive array of stars, including A$AP Ferg, Pusha T, N.O.R.E, Bianca Lawson, Teddy Riley, and Nigel Sylvester, who came together to preview the unique LEGO®-animated film that chronicles the Virginia native’s remarkable journey.
Focus Features’ New York Premiere of “PIECE BY PIECE”
Piece by Piece is unlike any other biopic, blending Pharrell’s visionary creativity with LEGO® animation to tell the story of one of music’s most innovative minds. Directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, the film takes audiences on a colorful, heartwarming journey through Pharrell’s life, from his roots in Virginia to his evolution as a global superstar and cultural icon. Featuring star-studded appearances from artists like Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay Z, and Snoop Dogg, the film offers an inside look into Pharrell’s creative brilliance.
In attendance to celebrate the film were not only its director and star but also key producers Mimi Valdés, Caitrin Rogers, and David Lawrence, as well as cast members Pusha T, N.O.R.E., and Teddy Riley. The event buzzed with excitement as guests, including notable figures like A$AP Ferg, Bianca Lawson, and BMX star Nigel Sylvester, gathered to witness the fusion of animation and music that brings Pharrell’s inner world to life.
Pharrell’s creative genius is on full display in the film, offering a peek into his thoughts and inspirations. Through this animated masterpiece, audiences are reminded of the powerful connection between creativity and empathy, as Pharrell opens up in ways that resonate globally. His talent, vision, and willingness to be vulnerable shine throughout the movie, delivering an inspiring message to all.
As Focus Features gears up to release Piece by Piece this Friday, October 11, fans won’t want to miss this dynamic cinematic experience that blends art, music, and imagination through Pharrell’s unique perspective.
Piece by Piece will be released exclusively in theaters, and it promises to turn up the volume on your imagination as you follow the story of one of music’s most influential icons.
Directed by: Morgan Neville Produced by: Pharrell Williams, Mimi Valdés, Caitrin Rogers, Morgan Neville Executive Producers: David Lawrence, Shani Saxon, Jill Wilfert, Keith Malone, Joshua R. Wexler, Sanjee K. Gupta, James De Julio, Lesley Worton
Pharrell says that his hit song, “Beautiful,” is tainted in his ears and that he hears “Mickey Mouse” whenever the track comes on. He reflected on the Snoop Dogg-assisted single during an interview with Kelefa Sanneh on CBS Sunday Morning.
“I had a song called ‘Beautiful’ with Snoop, right?” Pharrell said. “Girls heard me singing that. I heard Mickey Mouse. I swear to you, when you just get a moment and you just listen, you’ll never be able to unhear it again. But that’s what I hear.”
Pharrell & Snoop Dogg Perform Together At Something In The Water Festival
VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA – APRIL 27: Pharrell and Snoop Dogg perform onstage at SOMETHING IN THE WATER – Day 2 on April 27, 2019 in Virginia Beach City. (Photo by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Something in the Water)
It’s not the first time “Beautiful” has made headlines recently, as Snoop Dogg reflected on the making of the track during an interview with PEOPLE, last month. He revealed that Pharrell changed the way he wrote about women with the collaboration. “[Pharrell] made me do that song,” Snoop said of the track. “I would never do a song like that in the ’90s, but he tapped me into the side that I really never paid attention to. He was like, ‘You’ve been rapping about women and calling them h*es and they love you. When are you going to take time to show them that you love them and appreciate them?’ I was like, ‘I get it … put the beat on.’ Since then I’ve been on more of a ‘respect my queen’ rather than use derogatory words to explain my feeling towards females.”
Pharrell Discusses The Making Of “Beautiful”
Check out Pharrell’s remarks about his song, “Beautiful,” below. Elsewhere in the interview, he discussed his new film, Piece By Piece, which hits theaters later this week. Be on the lookout for further updates on Pharrell on HotNewHipHop.
Pharrell breaks down the idea of his song ‘Beautiful’ with Snoop Dogg & says he thought of Mickey Mouse via @CBSSundaypic.twitter.com/krNmpxLJ4X
Prepare for a groundbreaking cinematic experience as “Piece By Piece” arrives in theaters next Friday, October 11. This extraordinary film merges stunning LEGO animation with Pharrell Williams’ iconic music, capturing the essence of his journey from a small-town dreamer to an international cultural force. Directed by Academy Award-winner Morgan Neville, the film promises to deliver an inspiring and visually captivating story, making it a must-see event for audiences of all ages.
At the heart of “Piece By Piece” is Pharrell’s artistic evolution. From his early days as a musical prodigy to becoming a global superstar, the film explores the moments that shaped his career, weaving together themes of perseverance, creativity, and self-expression. Using LEGO animation to bring Pharrell’s world to life, the film offers a fresh, playful perspective on his rise to fame, making it a visual treat for fans of animation, music, and storytelling alike.
Directed by Morgan Neville, known for his ability to create rich and emotionally resonant documentaries, “Piece By Piece” stands out as a celebration of not only Pharrell’s musical genius but also his impact on culture, fashion, and art. The film is both vibrant and joyful, capturing the infectious energy that Pharrell has brought to every aspect of his career.
With a unique blend of innovative animation, Pharrell’s signature sound, and a compelling story of success, “Piece By Piece” offers a one-of-a-kind cinematic journey. Whether you’ve followed Pharrell’s career since the beginning or are discovering his music for the first time, this film is sure to inspire and entertain.
Don’t miss the chance to witness this remarkable film when it hits theaters on October 11. “Piece By Piece” is a celebration of creativity, passion, and the power of dreams—delivered through the genius of Pharrell Williams and the visionary direction of Morgan Neville.
The list of the 10 highest-grossing music biopics of all-time includes Bohemian Rhapsody (#1), Straight Outta Compton (#2), Walk The Line (#4), Bob Marley: One Love (#5), I Can Only Imagine (#7), and Ray (#8). Some of those are perfectly fine films, but they’re also safe. Most music biopics are. They’re glorified Wikipedia summaries. But it appears we’re entering a new era for movies about famous artists and iconic groups that are willing to take weird risks.
When I first read about Piece By Piece, I thought it was a joke. A movie about the life and career of Pharrell Williams… told through Legos? But the more I thought about it (and once I triple-checked it was real), the more I liked the concept. For one thing, the guy who wrote and/or produced “Milkshake,” “Get Lucky,” “Happy,” “Alright,” “Hot In Herre,” “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” and “Got Your Money,” songs so famous that I don’t even need to list the artist, absolutely deserves the biopic treatment. The Lego connection makes sense, too. Pharrell has synesthesia, which means that when he’s hearing music, he’s seeing it in color. “It’s the only way that I can identify what something sounds like,” he told NPR. “I know when something is in key because it either matches the same color or it doesn’t. Or it feels different and it doesn’t feel right.”
Piece By Piece is a playful extension of Pharrell’s unique way of perceiving the world. But why Legos, in particular? “It’s never too late for you to go pick up a Lego set and make things and be a co-creator. It’s never too late to wake up to that. It’s never too late to gain that self-awareness,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “This is my dream, for people to have that.”
If your dream is to see a movie about Robbie Williams told from the perspective of a monkey, you’re in luck!
As a kid, I was confused by the popularity of Robbie Williams. I would read about how he was a massive star in Europe, but in the United States, it was crickets. Even now, I’m only vaguely aware of a few of his songs, so Better Man normally wouldn’t be something on my radar — until I saw the trailer, which has the only acceptable use of “I know what you’re thinking” in voiceover history. He’s right: what is with the monkey? Better Man is “based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams,” per the official synopsis, but instead of Robbie being represented by, like, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, he’s portrayed by actor Jonno Davies in a mo-cap suit to look like a CGI monkey. Obviously.
So, about the monkey: why? “I asked you [Robbie] if you were an animal, how would you see yourself? In your own words, you would refer to being dragged up on stage to perform like a monkey,” director Michael Gracey (The Greatest Showman) said in an interview with the singer. “I immediately thought portraying you not as we see you, but how you see yourself… I am going to see you and relate to you in a way that is going to be more engaging than yet another musical biopic.” It’s a clever creative decision, as it depicts Robbie Williams how he perceives himself, and a smart financial one, too. “Do you want to see the Robbie Williams movie?” Eh, not really. “Do you want to see the movie where that pop star is played by a monkey?” I’m buying tickets now.
Piece By Piece, Better Man, Alex Ross Perry’s experimental Pavements, and before them, Baz Luhrmann’s King of Rock and Roll fever dream Elvis, aren’t the first weird biopics. There’s Superstar: The Karen Carpenter Story, an experimental short about The Carpenters singer, and I’m Not There, featuring six different actors playing Bob Dylan, both from director Todd Haynes. The hilarious Weird: The Al Yankovic Story literally has the word “weird” in the title! But in a post-Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story world, which brilliantly mocked every rise-and-fall trope, it’s nice to see familiar biopics told in unfamiliar ways. The generic Back To Black‘s of the world are always going to exist, but if Piece By Piece and Better Man do well (they’re both getting solidreviews), maybe we’ll get a Nine Inch Nails Broadway-style musical. Or a Stevie Wonder pixel-art animated movie. Or a Fleetwood Mac erotic thriller. Let’s get weird.
Piece By Piece is out in theaters on October 11, followed by Better Man on December 25
Pharrell Williams probably isn’t the first musician you would think of to have their life be turned into movie, let alone a Lego movie — until you take a look at how many hits he’s had a hand in.
With The Neptunes, there’s over a dozen top-10 hits, including “U Don’t Have to Call” by Usher, “Hot In Herre” by Nelly, “Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake, “Milkshake” by Kelis, “Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg, “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani, and “Money Maker” by Ludacris. Pharrell also produced “Blurred Lines” and wrote “Happy” (which he also sings) and “Get Lucky,” two impossibly catchy songs that will be played at weddings and bar/bat mitzvahs until the end of time. So, yeah, with that context, the Pharrell movie Piece By Piece makes a lot more sense.
Here’s everything to know about Piece By Piece, including plot details, the voice cast, and when it comes out.
Plot
The trailer for Piece By Piece begins with Pharrell telling Oscar-winning director Morgan Neville (20 Feet From Stardom, Won’t You Be My Neighbor?) that it would be cool “if we told my story with Lego pieces.” It’s not dissimilar from how it happened in real life. “That’s how the conversation went down in my head,” Neville told Variety. “I didn’t know what it was going to be, but it was going to be interesting and I was completely in.”
Pharrell was initially wary of participating in a biopic or documentary about himself because “everyone was doing them at the time, and I was like, ‘Hell no.’ I never want to do what everybody else is doing. Everybody’s taking the Lincoln Tunnel, then I want to take a plane,” he explained. “But when [Neville] finally said the magic words, ‘You can do it any way you want,’ I knew deep down inside that I wanted to do it through Lego.” Sounds like enjoyed Lego Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga as much as I did (fun game!).
Piece By Piece features animated reenactments of key moments in Pharrell’s life and interviews with some of his famous collaborators, including Kendrick Lamar, Gwen Stefani, and Jay Z. Except they didn’t know they were going to appear in Lego form. “We purposely did not tell anyone that that would be the finished product. We wanted people to just answer the questions and really give their full, unedited reactions to the opportunity to do the interviews,” the hit-maker confessed. “Because if we would’ve said, ‘Okay, this is going to be in Lego,’ then people would have sort of curved what they were saying.”
Pharrell’s hope with Piece By Piece is to inspire people to follow their ambitions, as he did. “It’s never too late for you to go pick up a Lego set and make things and be a co-creator. It’s never too late to wake up to that. It’s never too late to gain that self-awareness,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “This is my dream, for people to have that.”
Cast
The voice cast consists of [famous person] as themselves, beginning with Pharrell Williams as, well, himself. There’s also Gwen Stefani, Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay Z, and Snoop Dogg.
Release Date
It’s surprisingly been five years since the last big-screen Lego movie, The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part. That streak comes to an end on October 11, when Piece By Piece opens in theaters (the same weekend as Saturday Night, Terrifier 3, and We Live In Time — and they say counterprogramming is dead).
Trailer
You can check out the trailer for Piece By Piece below.
