Pharrell @ Neighbourhood!

Widespread pandemonium crash landed into the once quiet Neighbourhood in Ladbroke Grove last week. The overwhelmingly large crowds were drawn out by the promise of delicious Bacardi (who sponsor the B-Live event). Almost like a self fulfilling prophecy the name would eventually prove true to form but it took a long time getting there. Half an hour to be exact - the time spent outside waiting to get in, (even on guestlist!). The original line-up featured the unique sounds of Tortured Soul, Osunlade and Pete & Kyri. But while their music is worthy of generating such audiences, it was the late addition to the bill, the man who has just signed a deal with the fashion emporium Louis Vuitton that generated such a turn out.

The man in question was Pharrell Williams and at around 1.15am, Skateboard P, came on the stage to his Neptune’s produced Clipse track Grindin to almost deafening screams. He looked extremely younger then his 33 years would have us believe and was dressed in an Ice Cream jumper, baggy shorts and fisherman cap (straight-up skater-chic). Mr Williams then wasted no time in beginning with the first single release from his eagerly anticipated - forever delayed - solo LP In My Mind. Taking a breath he addressed the fans saying that “It makes me feel good to be here and if it weren’t for you there wouldn’t be any Justin or Snoop etc”

After that, the man who is half of the production duo that is the Neptune’s took us on a journey down his exhaustingly vast collaboration back catalogue. From Jay-Z, he sung the hook to I Just Wanna Luv U (Give It 2 Me) to which the crowd enthusiastically and accurately took the Jay-Z part. Then to Busta he performed Pass the Courvoisier and then Snoops’ Drop It Like It’s Hot and then serenaded the ladies with Beautiful. However, the only insight that he gave us into his mind was You Got It Like That and with his collaboration with another Louis Vuitton Don (although unofficial) in the form of Kanye West with No.1.

By now, people in the packed VIP were now standing on the tables trying to get a look-see at the diminutive rock star. After Frontin and Excuse Me Miss, he went onto name check all the other collaborations that we can look forward to hearing soon from the likes of ‘Snoop, Omarion, Justin, Jay-Z and Beyonce’. To finish the set he started with an impromptu acapella version of rock star before the rocky drum rifts of the 2002 headbanger.

Clearly paying attention to the screaming females fans, his last song, She Wants To Move did nothing to subdue them and when he said “All the pretty girls put your hands in the air” it was now called ‘All Eyes on Pharrell Night’ and left many annoyed males complaining.

Boywonder Ent Ezugwu for more insights check out http://www.myspace.com/boywonder_ent