Back in December, Pharrell Williams announced that he'd be putting out a rap-free album. Now he's revealed the album's title, G I R L, and a March 3 release date via Columbia Records. The effort will feature worldwide hit "Happy," which Williams will perform at tonight's annual BRIT Awards in London.
"When Columbia Records presented me with the opportunity to make an album, three things came to mind," Pharrell said in a statement. "One was the sense of overwhelming honor that I felt when I realized that they were interested in partnering with me on the album that I had always dreamt of making. Two, it would have to feel festive and urgent. And three, I instantly knew it would be called G I R L. I hope you like it."
Williams produced two of 2013's top selling, Grammy-nominated singles: Daft Punk's "Get Lucky" and Robin Thicke and T.I.'s "Blurred Lines." His track "Happy," which was featured on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, is the highest-charting Oscar-nominated song since Eminem's "Lose Yourself" more than a decade ago. The track currently sits at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has sold more than 2.3 million downloads worldwide, according to Billboard.
Despite his prolific career as a producer and collaborator, the upcoming album will be William's first solo release since 2006's In My Mind.
The new album is currently available for pre-order. Check out the trailer for the record here, and let us know what you think in the comments section below!
