Pharrell Williams is constantly pushing boundaries across fashion, film, and more. Recently, he was honored with the Candle in Arts and Entertainment Award at the 37th Annual Morehouse College “A Candle in the Dark” Gala for his contributions.
Ahead of the event, Pharrell hosted a special conversation at The High Museum of Art to discuss his latest project, All Day I Dream About Sport (ADIDAS), a film he co-directed with Gabriel Moses. The 20-minute film, described as a “visual love letter to West African culture,” focuses on life in Senegal. After screening the film for students from local HBCUs, including Morehouse and Spelman, Pharrell sat down with James Whitner, founder of The Whitaker Group, for a discussion on fashion, music, and the future of the industry, moderated by Complex’s Aria Hughes.
Pharrell shared his thoughts on creative expression: “Artistic platforms, whether it’s music, fashion, or content, are all ways to express yourself. It’s incredible that we can express ourselves and build careers around it.” He also encouraged young people to find a vocation they love so much they’d do it for free because that’s the secret to never working a day in your life.
When talking about collaboration, Pharrell reflected on how he works with artists, mentioning that he’s inspired by Rick Rubin, who refers to himself as a “reducer” rather than a producer. Pharrell explained that his role is to help the talent find new parts of themselves they haven’t yet explored, whether that’s a new vocal range or a fresh perspective. He takes a backseat to let the artist shine, helping them bring out their best work. He pointed to Beyoncé as an example of someone who fully utilizes her voice, but the idea is the same: to help talent explore new ground.
Pharrell’s approach to collaboration is all about empowerment—whether it’s with Moses on ADIDAS or longtime friend Pusha T, who features on the film’s track “Mike Tyson Blow to the Face.” “My job is to help artists push themselves in ways they never have before,” he explained.
Similarly, James Whitner’s success in the fashion world is deeply rooted in community. In 2005, he opened his first fashion boutique in Charlotte, North Carolina. Today, his company has grown to more than 26 stores across 13 cities, with a new one coming to Atlanta soon. Whitner sees community as the foundation of his work, saying, “If we’re not at the center of our own narrative, how can we expect to be at the center of everyone else’s?”
