Pharrell Signs to Columbia Records, Readies Album for 2014

Pharrell Williams is ringing in the new year with a new record deal. The Grammy-winning hitmaker has signed to Columbia Records.

He will join his peers including Beyoncé and T.I. at the label, it was announced today. Pharrell was previously signed to Interscope Records, where he released his 2006 solo debut In My Mind.

His full-length Columbia debut is due in 2014 and will include the single “Happy,” which is featured on the soundtrack to Despicable Me 2.

“When we excitedly partnered with Pharrell in January of this year, we felt it was his time again,” said Columbia Records Chairman/CEO Rob Stringer. “Since then, ‘Blurred Lines’ and ‘Get Lucky’ have defined pop music in 2013, and now we are preparing to launch Pharrell as a global solo superstar in 2014. ‘Happy’ is just the beginning.”

It’s been a tremendous year for The Neptunes producer, who contributed to two of 2013’s best-selling singles—Robin Thicke’s “Blurred Lines” and Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky.”

He also received seven Grammy nominations in categories including Producer of the Year (Non-Classical), Record of the Year, Best Pop Duo/Performance, and Album of the Year.