Pharrell Williams

The music producer, songwriter and singer has had hit songs with "Get Lucky" and "Happy".
Stars around the world think he's a genius; Pharrell thinks he is just lucky. Someone must have helped him to become so successful. But who?

1. His grandmother

When Pharrell was in sev
enth grade at school, his grandmother persuaded him to take a music class because he used to play drums in her kitchen. "I used to take all of her little pots and pans and the whisk and the soup spoons", he says. "And she just said to me, 'You like the drums, so why don't you learn?'".

2. His neighbours

Pharrell grew up in a multicultural community in Virginia, USA. He thinks that this influenced him a lot. He met Chad Huho, his songwriting partner, there. Pharrell and Chad have different origins-Chad's family were from the Philippines, Pharrell's family were back American-but they connected through music.

3. A music producer

When Pharrell was in high school, music producer Teddy Riley opened a studio next to his school. Pharrell was lucky to meet him and work with him: he was in the right place at the right time! "It looks like things were just sent my way", says Pharrell.