Musical legend Pharrell Williams is back and better than ever, bringing us a collab Chad Hugo, who together make the Neptunes, titled “Letter to My Godfather,” as reported by Pitchfork.
Pharrell and Hugo have worked together before, both as The Neptunes and as the ultra popular N.E.R.D, whose name stands for NO_ONE EVER REALLY DIES, as mxdwn has reported previously, but “Letter to My Godfather” is completely unique from anything Pharrell and Hugo have done in the past.
“Letter to My Godfather” is a track written for the Netflix original documentary, The Black Godfather, which highlights the life of trailblazer Clarence Avant, who Pharrell regards as “the godfather to so many of us—and not just African Americans, most of the industry.”
The track clocks in at five minutes and thirty seven seconds and highlights the importance of paying Avant respect and appreciating him while he is still living, and not letting him be someone who is only paid dues posthumously. “Letter to my Godfather” starts with rhythmic chanting and Pharrell’s strong, heavily autotuned voice exclaiming “We have to love him now/ While he is still here/ For all that, all that he’s done/ Before the moment disappears.”
Soft guitar comes in, joined in by bells and chimes, before the chorus explodes and Pharrell reminds us of Avant’s importance and all that he has done for the industry; “To bring the light/ To bring the light, yeah/ I’m sorry if this is a bore/ But I wasn’t seen in here before/ So I toast him tonight.”
The song is a complete delight and a celebration of Avant and his everlasting effect on people and the music industry. The love Pharrell and Hugo have for him can be felt in every note and every word of “Letter to My Godfather.” The message urging people to appreciate Avant and everything that he has done is heard loud and clear.
The Black Godfather is available on Netflix now, and “Letter to my Godfather” can be purchased or streamed via Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, Amazon Music, Google Play, Deezer, Pandora, Soundcloud, Tidal and YouTube Music.
Photo Credit: Sharon Alagna
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