Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z celebrate Black economic wealth on their new single 'Entrepreneur'
In the new music video, several Black entrepreneurs are featured.
Pharrell Williams and Jay-Z released a powerful new song, "Entrepreneur," on Friday.
"Thank you to Jay (@S_C_), and to every Black queen, king and entrepreneur who made this all happen!" Williams wrote in a tweet introducing the new track. "This is for you . . . and your Black vision of the future. Special thank you to the director @CALMATIC for creating such a beautiful video."
Williams told TIME that the message of the song, which was produced by the artist and his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, and accompanying music video "was all about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country, to begin with."
"Especially as someone of color, there's a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages," he continued. "How can you get a fire started, or even the hope of an ember to start a fire when you're starting at disadvantages with regards to health care, education, and representation?"
In the music video, several Black entrepreneurs are featured, allowing viewers to learn a little about their stories. TyAnthony Davis, founder of Vox Collegiate, makes one of the first appearances; he founded Vox after schools in his district were under performing.
Artist Tyler the Creator, whom Williams has mentored throughout his career, is featured next. "When Pharrell said, 'You can do it too' . . . Tyler actually did it. And he's still doing it," a message in the video reads before listing Tyler's accomplishments, which include co-founding rap collective Odd Future, winning a Grammy and Brit Award and more.
Other entrepreneurs featured include restaurant owners Vincent and Arlene Williams, architectural technologist Iddris Sandu and Beatrice Dixon, founder of the popular feminine hygiene company Honey Pot, among others.
Williams told TIME specifically why the duo chose to highlight these Black-owned businesses in this project.
"When you have successful beehive-type communities where you can circulate money within your community, it makes a huge difference," he said. "They keep saying the American dream is about the house and picket fence, the wife and two kids. Come on—let’s be honest. It’s always boiled down to money and an opportunity."
Jay's verse in the track calls for supporting Black businesses and creating economic wealth, with a reference to Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey. "Black Twitter, what's that? When Jack gets paid, do you?" Jay raps. "For every one Gucci, support two FUBU's."
"When we stick together, treat each other better, and welcome each other, there's more money and more opportunity for everyone," Pharrell told TIME.
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