Pharrell Says Lupe Fiasco Could be Fourth Member of N*E*R*D

In a recent interview with HardKnockTV, N.E.R.D.’s Pharrell talked about the trio’s relationship with tour mate and frequent Neptunes collaborator Lupe Fiasco. During the interview, Skateboard P explained that they would be thrilled to work with the Chicago emcee on an extended projected, hinting that such a collaboration may not be too far from the truth.

“We just want to come through with the real attention to detail and nostalgia,” he explained. “We want to make real collector’s items [of our] albums…Lupe [Fiasco] is our brother, period. If there was…a fourth member of N.E.R.D., it would probably be Lupe. That’s not to say that that wouldn’t happen, by the way…I’d be honored to do an N.E.R.D. album with Lupe.”

Pharrell also explained his philosophy when it comes to working with artists. He said that he likes to allow artists the room to to function autonomously, but that that he also doesn’t only provide help to those signed to his Star Trak imprint. He said that like his work with the Clipse – and now, Pusha T in his solo career – he wants to aid artists in creating good music, regardless of ownership.

“Certain times with certain artists, I just let them go and do them, and anyway I can help and assist them I can,” he said. “Like the Clipse: they’ve been on their on for like two albums now, and now Pusha [T]…went solo from the Clipse…[and now] he’s over there at G.O.O.D. Music with Kanye [West], so he’s doing some interesting things as well and I’m helping him there. I am interested in growing talent; it doesn’t always have to be on my farm. I would just like the world to be speckled with good music for everybody to listen to…it’s not always about ownership. It’s about contributing to the greater scheme of things.”