For all of y'all who don't know, Pharrell Williams is the production mastermind behind smash hits like Britney Spears' "I'm a Slave 4 U," Usher's "U Don't Have to Call," and Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love U." As one-third of rap-rock crossover act N.E.R.D. (No-one Ever Really Dies [dope acronym––Ed.]), he's toured the world and made mad stacks doing it. Now Pharrell—he's so big his fans call him by his first name—has teamed up with one of today's hottest global designers, Nigo. Best known for his BAPE (A Bathing Ape) clothing label, he is a Japanese trendsetting legend whose gear is worshipped by some of today's hottest global talent, like Mo' Wax (More Wax) label boss James Lavelle and NYC rap artists the Beastie Boys. Like Von Dutch, Quiksilver, and, of course, BAPE before them, Pharrell and Nigo's new lines are about to turn the street looks of Los Angeles and Miami gleefully upside-down.
VICE: What are Billionaire Boys Club clothes and Ice Cream shoes all about?
Pharrell: They're not for the herd. It's for people of our persuasion. But you're still cool if you don't buy our clothes.
What would you say your ideal girl is like?
Funny, smart, pretty. Stylewise, I like Gwen Stefani and Kelis. I think Beyoncé is an elegant dresser.
Pharrell Williams, you are basically a god. How did you get to be so fucking amazing?
Well, you need to stay open-minded and don't ever think that you know everything. I'm always learning—I'm still a student. There's no such thing as the ultimate degree. When it comes to music, you need to listen to everything and stay open.
RODNEY G. JONES
