Pharrell knighted by French president Emmanuel Macron
Pharrell was knighted by French president Emmanuel Macron last week.
During a private ceremony at the Élysée Palace on January 23rd, the Virginia rapper/producer was presented with the Chevalier de la Légion d’honneur (Knight of the Legion of Honour).
P was handed the order’s insignia, a medal with a red ribbon, to recognise his contributions to culture and the creative industries. Taking to Instagram, Pharrell posted photos of the occasion and wrote, “Chevalier of the Légion d’honneur. Grateful and blessed.”
The Legion of Honour is considered the highest and most prestigious French national order of merit.
Pharrell was joined by his wife, Helen Lasichanh, and their four children, Rocket Williams and three triplets, whose names are unknown.
Longtime friend and collaborator Pusha T was there to celebrate the occasion, as was French First Lady Brigitte Macron. Future and Quavo were also in the building.
France is a country Pharrell has held dearly over the years. In 2017, he was awarded the insignia of Officer of the Order of Arts and Letters by France’s culture minister for his contribution to the arts. “This is another level,” he said at a ceremony near the Louvre. “For me, France is the centre of art.”
While he was being knighted in France, Pharrell’s former collaborator, Chad Hugo, filed a lawsuit against him last week. The producer claimed he owes him $1 million from N.E.R.D.’s 2017 album, No One Ever Really Dies.
However, Pharrell’s representative said, “A standard accounting review is already in progress. The lawsuit filed is premature as there may not even be a dispute between the parties. If the accounting review determines that money is owed, the appropriate party will pay it.”
They added, “Pharrell has consistently acted in good faith. He has great respect for Chad and looks forward to resolving this in a way that honours their shared history.”