Barbara Zanon, Getty Images
"I was presented the opportunity and I hopped on it," Pharrell tells TheBoomBox. "I'm a huge fan of animation and there are certain cartoons I just love so much, that I've watched all my life, from 'Looney Toons' all the way to 'The Smurfs.' Boomerang is one of my favorite networks, beyond Nickelodeon and obviously the Disney Channel."
Though the 37-year-old Virginia native has a fondness for cartoons, it's the movies he's seen over the years that supported his urge to get behind a feature film. "But then there are also the movies that come out and those things are amazing," he continues. "'The Incredibles' was a great thing and when I look back and see 'Ice Age,' 'Horton Hears a Who' or 'The Simpsons Movie,' it's amazing to think that one day I could wake up and be a part of Illumination Entertainment, who did those movies."
To develop the music for 'Despicable Me,' Pharrell had the opportunity to collaborate with famed German composer, Hans Zimmer, who has nabbed several Academy Awards for his work on films that include 'The Lion King,' and 'Gladiator.' "When I wake up and say to myself, 'Yeah, you just scored and participated in the music in that incredible animation and got to work with Hans Zimmer,' I've got to pinch myself," he admits. "It's an amazing thing to be able to do that. It's just mind-blowing the way they put it all together, you've got to dictate the moment when you do a score."
The N.E.R.D. front man also admitted that working on the score for the film has shaped the production of his group's upcoming album, 'Nothing,' which is due out in September. "I learned a lot from being in Hans Zimmer's compound and having access to all his sounds and his incredible expansive library," Pharrell says. "It totally opened my mind and let me know how far I could really take things in terms of music."
"I don't know if it was such a great thing for hip-hop as it was for just music in it's own respect. My new N.E.R.D. album, 'Nothing,' has hip-hop elements but it's far reaching. We're not played on only hip-hop stations, we're more akin to European festivals and 80 to 90,000 folks going crazy, mosh-pitting and ['Despicable Me'] was a huge influence on 'Nothing.'"
Pharrell was happy to report that 'Nothing' is finally near completion, but for now he's still reveling in the success of wrapping production on his first film soundtrack. "Today is all about 'Despicable Me,' he said. "It was a great opportunity, it's Illumination, it's Universal and just to be associated with this project in any way, shape or form -- let alone the music -- is just a huge blessing and I can't imagine how anything could be any cooler."
Kellie Pickler Gets Puppy Surprise After Moving 'Dancing With the Stars' Performance
Chief Keef Receives Apology From Katy Perry
Blake Shelton Joins NBC in Organizing Oklahoma Tornado Benefit Concert
Kellie Pickler Named 'Dancing With the Stars' Champion
Black Hippy Release 'U.O.E.N.O.' Remix
That's An Interesting Look, Madge
Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the Heartland' Benefit Show to Include Reba McEntire, Miranda Lambert More
16 Pasta Dishes Worse Than Yours
Mariah Carey's Dress Busts Open During 'GMA' Performance
Charlie Sheen Gets Back To His Roots
Beyonce Releases New Anthem, 'Grown Woman'
WHOOPS! Obama Makes Big Gaffe
J. Cole Performs 'Born Sinner' on 'Late Night With Jimmy Fallon,' Reveals Competitive Spirit Against Kanye West
Ryan Gosling Almost Didn't Star In His Signature Movie
Toby Keith Returns to Help Family, Friends in Moore, Oklahoma
Mariah Carey Curses And Busts Out Of Dress On Live TV
Candid Portraits Of Strippers After Hours
Teens' Plot To Murder Classmate Shocks Town
Amanda Bynes Speaks Out After Arrest
Abercrombie Announces Plummeting Sales Amid Controversy
LOOK: This Is The Perfect Job Application
WATCH: Brave Mom, Daughter Comfort Soldier Killed On Street
Killed Soldier In London Attack Identified
AMAZING PHOTO: UFO Spotted Over San Diego
Fox News Host's Outrageous Comment
What It's Like To Talk To A 2-Year-Old
Joe Arpaio Violated Latinos' Rights, Judge Rules
Luke Wilson Caught Staring At Fan's Chest
Jennifer Aniston And Brad Pitt Are ... Friends?
PHOTO: Amanda Bynes' Mugshot Revealed
Jodi Arias Jury DEADLOCKED
Teenager's 'Awww'-Inspiring Drawing Wins Big At Google
Helen Flanagan Launches PETA Campaign As Only She Knows How
5 Comments