Pharrell describes Jay-Z’s writing process as “strange” but “incredible”

Pharrell detailed Hov’s writing process during a recent podcast appearance.

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Jay-Z has long been known as someone who doesn’t write lyrics. His raps aren’t necessarily freestyles, but they aren’t read on a page either. Hov is known for having one of the best minds in the game, and just like with Lil Wayne, fans and peers alike have been in awe for two and a half decades with his ability to keep every line of every song just inside his head.

In a recent appearance on Moltenit is Discovered podcast, Pharrell Williams gave an even better window into how Jay-Z creates a song.

Explaining that Hov is “one of us”, Pharrell said his process was “strange”, but “incredible”.

“Jay-Z is another one – people don’t realize that. He’s one of ours,” Pharell said. Discovered host Mark Ronson. “He’s not good because he just made good records. No! He’s really a character. He’s a weird guy. When you have a conversation with him, it’s not a regular conversation .”

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“When he’s writing, he’s just sitting there mumbling to himself – in falsetto, by the way. Yo, when he’s writing a rhyme, he’s wrong, ‘[tough voice] Chyea! When the Remy’s in the system’ – he doesn’t do that,” he continued. “He says, ‘[falsetto voice] Yo, yo, when the Remy’s in the system / I don’t know, I’ll fuck ’em? Will I diss ’em? / That’s what they scream / I’m a blood pimp. And he taps you on the shoulder and takes it back. He writes in falsetto.”

Pharrell explained that while he doesn’t know why Jay writes like that, the Plan the rapper always has.

“It’s weird and different and weird and amazing! And makes him a character,” he said. “I have to ask him why he does that, I don’t know why he does that. But he always did that.”

What do you think of Hov writing in falsetto? Let us know in the comments.

[via]