25 Things You Didn't Know About Pharrell

Pharrell has worn many hats in a career that spans over 20 years. Even more impressive is how he's been able to excel in each role. He's won a combined 12 Grammy awards as a producer and artist, and has had a hand in countless chart-topping hits to boot. Then there's fashionista​ Pharrell, the guy who founded popular clothing lines like Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream, not to mention his partnerships with various retail brands like adidas.

He's certainly come a long way since his days crafting beats with childhood friend Chad Hugo as the Neptunes, one of the most succesful musical partnerships in history. Pharrell is now one of the most recognizable faces in pop culture. That's pretty what happens when you drop songs like "Happy," to which your mom, grandma, and niece know all the words.

Even though Pharrell has reached a level of celebrity that has keeps him in the public eye, there's still a lot to learn about the Virginia Beach native. From interesting facts about his childhood, making music for Michael Jackson, and that damn hat, here are 25 Things You Didn't Know About Pharrell.

Pharrell and Timbaland attended the same church when they were younger.

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He used to get called “oreo” as a kid because he was black but hung out with white kids.

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Pharrell's grandmother was the one who encouraged him to get serious about music.

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He met Chad Hugo at a band camp in seventh grade.

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Pharrell got the nickname Skateboard P because of his love for skateboarding during his teenage years.

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He and Chad Hugo were discovered by Teddy Riley at a high school talent show.

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As a teenager, Pharrell was fired from three different McDonald's locations.

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Prior to becoming famous, Pharrell was in a band with Timbaland and Chad Hugo called Surrounded by Idiots.

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At the age of 16, Pharrell lost his virginity to an older woman.

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Pharrell says he experiences synesthesia.

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Nearly all the songs the Neptunes made for Justin Timberlake's Justified were intended for Michael Jackson.

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The Neptunes also originally made “I'm a Slave 4 U” for Janet Jackson.

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At one point in 2003, the Neptunes were responsible for 43 percent of the songs played on the radio in the U.S.

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After the commerical failure of his solo debut album, In My Mind, Pharrell believed that “being a solo art

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Pharrell has been wearing his infamous Vivienne Westwood hat for the past 6 years.

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He's had laser surgery in the past to remove tattoos.

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Pharrell claims his best songs are written in the shower or on a plane.

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Two artists he'd love to collaborate with are Eminem and Prince.

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Pharrell named his son Rocket after the Elton John song, “Rocket Man.”

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Lauryn Hill gave Pharrell the idea to name his company i am OTHER.

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In 2012, he composed the theme song for Chelsea Handler's former talk show, Chelsea Lately.

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“Happy” was originally recorded by Cee-Lo Green, before it was blocked by “the powers that be,” as Pharrell puts it.

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Composer Hans Zimmer once witnessed Pharrell write an entire song on his cell phone in five minutes.

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In June of 2014, Pharrell received the key to the city of his hometown. The mayor also declared June 7 as 'Pharrell Williams Day.'

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Pharrell was recently named creative director for Live Earth 2015, a concert series put on by Al Gore's environment

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