News Headlines
Pharrell, Snoop, and Others Talk on Myspace “Pharrell and Friends” Concert
August 9, 2006
“This (is) that Golden backpack shit”, Pharrell Williams screamed to fans in Hollywood July 17, 2006 on the top level of the famed Arclight Movie Theater parking lot at the “Pharrell and Friends” concert sponsored by the web giant Myspace.
Although it was not the typical concert venue, the occasion was a free concert to 400 lucky Myspace fans that responded quickly enough to Myspace’s discreet advertisements alerting users of the contest. Not to mention it was a surefire way to promote William’s first solo album, In My Mind released July 27.
“I like doing things left of center. I don’t like doing what everybody else does. I’m not a mainstream artist, so what I do has to be effective for my people, my core audience,” Williams said of his decision to give a concert sponsored by Myspace during an exclusive interview with Vibe.com. “My fans want me to give them something, so this was kind of the way to do that, through Myspace.”
William’s celebrity stage-sharers, including the likes of Lupe Fiasco, Snoop Dogg, The Clipse, Slim Thug, and others, reflected on the celebrity-infested concert, many saying they participated simply to support Williams and to show love to their fans who use and enjoy Myspace as much as they do.
“Myspace is real cool. It’s a way to get new fans everyday loving your music,” said Snoop, who was quick to acknowledge how Myspace has contributed to his success in communicating with his fans.
One of the crowd’s favorite performers, Lupe Fiasco, said after his performance that Myspace “helped me push the movement I was trying to do,” praising Myspace for the way it boosted his career and garnered him mainstream attention.
“It’s an all around promotion tool. I don’t think there has been anything like Myspace on the caliber that Myspace does what they do,” Lupe said.
Among the many amazing performances, “Skateboard P” was joined onstage by long-time Star Trak colleagues Clipse, who performed their breakout hit “Grindin” and their current single “Mr. Me Too” from their anticipated Hell Hath No Fury. Lupe Fiasco joined in, performing “Kick Push” and his new single “I Gotcha”, which he recently shot a video for in Los Angeles. Snoop Dogg graced the stage with Williams, performing “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and Slim Thug followed with “I Ain’t Heard of That”. Last but not least, Williams left the stage with the audience awestruck after his performance of his latest smash single, “Number 1” (sadly, Williams had to perform Kanye-less).
“It’s great to see that people like my music and understood it. I’m really very appreciative of that,” Williams said.
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