The life-changing advice Pharrell gave Tyler, The Creator: “I just wanted to change everything”
Pharrell is a big inspiration for Tyler, The Creator. No matter what avenue, whether it’s his solo music, N.E.R.D., or his production as half of The Neptunes, the Virginia maestro is one of the most gifted and successful musicians of the last three decades. Similarly, Tyler does it all himself, whether rapping, singing or producing.
When Tyler eventually made it to the big time, his dream came true when he met Pharrell and formed a relationship with him. They’ve collaborated multiple times on songs like ‘IFHY’ from his 2013 album Wolf, ‘Keep Da O’s’ on 2015’s Cherry Bomb and ‘Are We Still Friends?’ from 2019’s IGOR. Throughout their time working together, P has given Tyler some essential advice.
In the Hulu docuseries, RapCaviar Presents, Tyler discussed looking up to Pharrell as a kid and how important he became as a friend once they crossed paths. He recalled P telling him, “You got it, you just don’t see it. You got it, you got the shit,” before sharing some advice that was passed on to him from Interscope co-founder Jimmy Iovine.
“He’s like, ‘Pharrell, do you like house music?’” Tyler said. “He’s like, ‘Yeah, it’s a good genre, good tempo’. He’s like, ‘No Pharrell, house music – good music that could buy you a house.’”
Remembering the advice he gave Tyler, Pharrell added, “Make something undeniable and make it equally as infectious. Why are you doing music? Is it because you just want to look cool? Because that will burn out. When it becomes purpose-oriented, it can be as cool as The Flash, but it will be much more meaningful.”
This became a life-changing moment for Tyler. His reaction to the advice was, “Oh fuck. No more being silly – music first. At that moment, we went home, and I just wanted to change everything, and I just wanted to switch. And the switch fucking happened.”
Tyler has been outspoken about his love of N.E.R.D. over the years. On the 20th anniversary of the 2003 album, Fly or Die, the Odd Future rapper fanned out over the project and revealed he begged his mother to take him to meet the group on the day it was released. “20 years ago (3/23/04) FLY OR DIE by N.E.R.D came out,” he wrote on X. “i begged my mom to take me to their meet and greet at tower records day of; didnt happen but she did snag the album.”
He continued, “At the time ive never heard what i considered ‘rock’ music use melodies and chords typically for ‘soul’ and ‘jazz’, so i was drawn in cause there was a slice of familiarity. i would record every tv appearance 03-05 (MTV needs to release the black history month she wants to move in full) and as corn as it is i have a collection of stickers to put on my passports.”
The admiration goes both ways, with Pharrell praising Tyler for his creativity and being completely himself. “Thank you @tylerthecreator for being everything we dreamt of when making In Search Of,” he wrote on social media. “Artistic freedom to be you and make whatever you want.”