In our new Musicians on Musicians conversation, @Pharrell confirmed a collaboration with @BTS_twt and #RM said his solo project is about 90% done. (Read More Here).
Williams, eternally youthful and smooth-skinned (needless to say), is relaxed and full of small talk, in a leather jacket, matching leather shorts, boots, and a blinding array of ice-studded jewelry on one wrist. RM, in a Bottega Veneta double-breasted brown suit, is quieter, seemingly shuffling through the many questions he’s prepared in his head.
On November 1, Rolling Stone magazine released an exclusive interview between BTS’s RM and Pharrell in which the two artists chatted about music, life, and more.
Towards the end of the interview, Pharrell revealed the exciting news that he’d joined forces with BTS for a song on his upcoming album “Phriends.”
The American artist and producer shared, “Well, my project, it’s called… it’s [under] my name, and the title of the album is ‘Phfriends.’ It’s the volume one. You guys [BTS] are on there, obviously. And I’m actually talking about this way more than I’m supposed to, but it’s a song from my album that [BTS] sang and it’s amazing, and I’m super grateful.”
RM chimed in, “I just love this song,” to which Pharrell agreed, “I love it too… Everyone that hears it is like, ‘Whoa.’”
Pharrell then went on to offer to work with RM on his upcoming solo album, raising the possibility of a second collaboration between the two singers.
Referring to RM’s new solo album—which was just officially announced by Big Hit Music on November 1 KST—Pharrell said, “I’m just going to put this out there. You said you’re 90 percent done with your solo album. But if within that last 10 percent, if you need—you don’t need me, but I mean…”
RM interjected, “I always needed you, for 15 years,” and Pharrell continued, “OK, well, if you want to do something, we can actually do it.” In what appeared to mark confirmation that the two might really be teaming up for his upcoming album as well, RM responded, “Please… I’m honored and grateful.”
Both artists move between behind-the-scenes work and performing. In addition to producing and writing for BTS, RM has done the same for songs by many other South Korean artists; Williams has been striking that balance like no one else since the Clinton administration — this year alone, he’s produced tracks for Kendrick Lamar, Pusha T, and Rosalía, while enlisting 21 Savage and Tyler, the Creator for his own single “Cash In Cash Out.”
Even before this conversation, Williams and RM joined forces. As Williams reveals, he recently recorded a song with BTS, working remotely, for his next album. RM has a debut solo album of his own on the way, and during their conversation, Williams makes him an enticing offer related to it. A few weeks after this conversation, BTS’ label, Hybe, announces that the group’s members will be serving mandatory military service and will focus on solo work before reuniting in 2025. Today, RM is frank about the fact that he and BTS are at a crossroads in their lives and career, and he’s unafraid to ask for Yoda-style advice from someone whose nonstop shape-shifting has been rewarded with unmatched, decade-spanning success.
RM: I just want to point out [your 2006 solo song] “Take It Off (Dim the Lights).” Because that was on one of my playlists. I even translated it into Korean and recorded it once when I was an amateur.
Williams: Whoa! That’s crazy.
RM: These days genre doesn’t mean anything. But at that time, I think some rappers criticized the rappers who sing or use Auto-Tune. Sometimes you sing, sometimes you rap, sometimes you just sing the hook. So how do you position yourself when you participate in a song as a performer?
Williams: Wow. First of all, no one’s ever asked me that, believe it or not. I make decisions based off feeling. I don’t make them based off of convention.
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