Pharrell went up in smoke while working with Wiz Khalifa on his upcoming album O.N.I.F.C. (Only Ni**a in First Class).

“That’s some strong shit, man,” said Pharrell, who caught a high just from being around the weed smoker. “You one of us now,” Wiz told him.

Tyler, the Creator and Wiz’s Taylor Gang crew LoLa Monroe and Juicy J also stopped by their smoking sessions, which were aided by some gin.

Pharrell is taking a new generation of young stars under his wing. The Neptunes super-producer hit the studio with Justin Bieber in Miami to work on his upcoming album Believe over the weekend. While in town, the Biebs also logged studio time with Timbaland and went skateboarding with Lil Wayne.

In addition to the teen idol, Skateboard P cooked up some beats for former “X Factor” contestant and rapper Astro aka the Astronomical Kid, who recently inked a deal with Epic Records. Judging from the wheel in Astro’s hand, it looks like they also found time to play Mario Kart.

Add them to Pharrell’s growing list of recent collaborators including Ne-Yo, Wiz Khalifa, Dr. Dre, and Snoop Dogg. Who gon’ stop him, huh?

[BBC Blog]

Pharrell is a man of few words. The musical maestro was not particularly forthcoming in his interview with GQ, but the magazine still tried its best to get the scoop on his upcoming gig as a music consultant for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, his secretive joint album with Lupe Fiasco, his Billionaire Girls Club clothing line, and his production on “Glory,” Jay-Z’s dedication to his daughter Blue Ivy Carter. “That was another covert operation,” said P. Read on to see what he had to say.

On scoring the Oscars alongside composer Hans Zimmerman: “We have to reinterpret some of the music for the nominees. We have to do other music as well that is at times new and original and at others borrowing from movie scenes. … Hans and I have tried to keep it under wraps so that there’s literally no expectation and people are excited about the stuff we’re cooking. We’re thinking beyond the usual standards.”

On his upcoming travel book Places & Spaces I’ve Been: “It’s just things and people that have moved me and inspired me around the world and that I am also honored to know.”

On his BBC line for women: “It’s definitely us. It’s signature us. It’s awesome. … It may be in the middle of ’13. But you’ll be seeing hints of it in the marketplace in 2012.”

On his collaborative album with Lupe Fiasco: “I can’t talk about that. Lupe is my man and whatever we’re talking about we can’t really discuss and get into right now. We’re talking about some very interesting things.”

On producing Jay-Z’s “Glory”: “Uh, that was awesome. But again, that was another covert operation.”

On adding Blue Ivy’s cries at the end of the song: “That was, uh… That was, um… Everything was by design. That’s all I’ll say.”

Read the rest of the interview at GQ.com.

What would a Dr. Dre and Pharrell collaboration sound like? We may soon find out. The music masterminds were in the lab together over the weekend, crafting some sonic goodies with Snoop Dogg. During his trip to Miami, the Doc also logged studio time with Rick Ross. Now if only he would stop teasing us and release some new music.

[BBC Blog]

The CRS album (Kanye West, Pharrell, and Lupe Fiasco) may be on indefinite hold, but two thirds of the group are moving forward with a new project. Lupe Fiasco revealed on his website that he and Pharrell are recording a joint album.

“LUPE AND PHARRELL ALBUM COMING SOON,” the Chicago MC wrote to his fans under the headline “Breaking News.”

In a previous interview with Rap-Up TV, he explained why the CRS album was derailed. “CRS is still tentatively unscheduled until me and Pharrell and Kanye can sit down and come up with a game plan and see if it’s something feasible within the near future or is it something that we should maybe think about putting the brakes to completely,” he said.

In addition to his collaboration with Pharrell, he’s also prepping Food & Liquor 2, the sequel to his 2006 album. “I’m not gonna make the same mistake that I did with Lasers,” he said of last year’s chart-topping set.

Photo credit: Terry Richardson

Here ye, hear ye. T.I. keeps it real in the video for his collaboration with Pharrell, which may end up on his 2012 album Trouble Man. The star of VH1’s “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle” addresses the loss of his friend (“Since Phil got killed, I ain’t never moved on”), while sharing scenes with the fashionable Sk8brd. Look for cameos from Young Jeezy and Tip’s 10-year-old son Domani.

[MWP]

Pharrell is headed to the Oscars. The Neptunes super-producer will supervise the music for next year’s awards ceremony.

Skateboard P and composer Hans Zimmer have been tapped as music consultants for the 84th Annual Academy Awards, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

“Hans is one of the most accomplished and creative film composers of our time, and Pharrell is a phenomenal songwriter with an amazing list of credits,” said producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer. “This is an exciting and prestigious collaboration that promises to take the audience on a musical journey.”

Pharrell previously worked with Zimmer on the soundtrack to the animated film Despicable Me and his songs have appeared in films such as Fast & Furious, Knocked Up, and Mean Girls.

Billy Crystal will host Hollywood’s biggest night, airing live on February 26 on ABC.

T.I. recently linked up with Pharrell to shoot the video for their collaboration “Here Ye, Hear Ye.” The dapper rappers posed in front of a white backdrop, with the fashion-forward Sk8brd rocking a captain’s hat, red motorcycle jacket, and Timbs in one scene and a fur-trimmed jacket in another. Tip also stepped up his fashion game, looking fresh in a V-neck sweater and scarf.

Tip, whose VH1 show “T.I. & Tiny: The Family Hustle” premieres December 5, described his joint record with P as “some hip-hop rap shit.” “We’re just going in for four minutes rapping,” he told Rolling Stone of the cut, which is expected to appear on his upcoming album.

[BBC Blog]

Usher is cooking up some fire for his next album. The music superstar hit the studio with today’s top hitmakers including Pharrell, Jim Jonsin, Rico Love, and Diplo to lay down some new tracks for his seventh LP, due in 2012.

“Right now we’re just experimenting with different sounds,” said Rico, who penned “There Goes My Baby” off 2010’s Raymond v. Raymond. “My job is to make sure it stays classic. I don’t feel like Usher is just a Top 40 artist or just an R&B artist or just a rhythmic artist. I gotta make records that connect to all formats.”

One insider who heard the new material tells Rap-Up.com, “It’s the most ridiculous music I’ve ever heard Jim and Rico make. Amazing!”

[Photos via Made You Famous and BBC Blog]

Pharrell paid Justin Bieber the ultimate compliment after he heard his new Christmas album Under the Mistletoe, which arrives tomorrow.

“Listening to your vocals, man, I’m impressed,” said The Neptunes hitmaker while kicking it in the studio with the pop star and Usher. “It’s amazing. I didn’t know that his voice had matured this much. Those runs are really, really clean. A couple times I [got chills].”

Skateboard P co-signed the album, which features collaborations with Mariah Carey, Busta Rhymes, Boyz II Men, and Usher himself. “Ya’ll gotta get this Christmas album. I’m definitely stamping it,” remarked P.

Usher added, “The world is bugging right now ’cause your voice is incredible.”

Bieber is working with Kanye West and Drake on his next studio album Believe, which is due in early 2012. “I feel like this Christmas album is like the iPhone 4S,” said Biebs. “Everyone was waiting for the 5, but we just put out the 4S to give them something real quick.”