Pharrell Launches New Brand

Producer/rapper/songwriter Pharrell Williams has announced the upcoming fall launch of I Am Other, a new partnership with United Entertainment Group. The project looks to spotlight new music, art, artists and trends, and will be distributed to TV, online and mobile channels--focusing on 16-25 year olds.

"The first installment is about delivering those experiences through products, excursions, anything that is tangible to a human that can make their life easier," Williams told Variety. "A lot of companies claim they can make the world better. We want to make lives easier and unlock what normally would seem impossible, possible."

Pharrell Working With Gloria Estefan

Superproducer Pharrell Williams will be working with a pop music legend Gloria Estefan on her forthcoming album. The diva will be releasing her first album since 2004 with the Neptunes frontman handling the production. It will be her 11th studio album, and is said to be 'dance-oriented' and 'high-energy,' which have been hallmarks of her sound since her 1980s heyday.

Pharrell's sound has been a defining part of 2000s pop music, having produced hits for Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, and several other pop divas.

Estefan's album is due later this year, but no official release date has been announced.

Lupe Fiasco Talks Collabo Album

Lupe Fiasco may be in the midst of promoting his Lasers album, but the Chicago emcee hasn't forgotten his planned collaborative album with Kanye West and Pharrell Williams. Lupe admits, however, that he has no idea how or when the Child Rebel Soldier project will come to fruition.

"Honestly I don't know, it's all scheduling," Lupe explained in an interview. "We're all three independent artists, all working. It's not like we're dormant, we're all working, so it's about finding that moment where we can all get together and sit down, and come up with the songs and the ideas. We just haven't had the opportunity to do that as of late, enough to put an album, a serious album together, and even if we get to that point, the business of the album coming out is ridiculous because it's three separate labels, three separate interests and that's going to be a paperwork nightmare. So there's elements to it - big hurdles that need to be jumped before we can proceed with it properly and give people what they want, which is an album."