Next Thursday November 7 is the 10 year anniversary of the Black Ball, a fundraiser gala for Keep a Child Alive, a non-profit organisation that offers dignified treatment, care and support for children and families affected by HIV. This event brings famous artists and philanthropy together to fulfil dreams and hope, as well as to raise funds for people living with the virus in some of the countries that are affected the most by the virus, such as South Africa, India, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda.
Hosted by co-founder, global ambassador and musical director Alicia Keys, this event takes place at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York and each year a number of celebrities perform in the name of HIV awareness and support while donating the proceeds of the event to projects at Keep a Child Alive. So far, they raised over $18.5 million!
Some of the artists that performed at the Black Ball in the past are Bono, Usher, Will.i.am, Mark Ronson, Paloma Faith, Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake, Adele and many others. This year, alongside Alicia Keys, there will be performances from Carole King, Laura Mvula and recently they announced the participation of superstar and friend of DAA Pharrell Williams.
So how’s Pharrell doing?
This Grammy winning artist has been quite present on the scene this year, especially becasue of his hit single ‘Blurred Lines’ with Robin Thicke. I’ve heard this song play on and on in the last three countries I visited since March and no wonder: it got #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and reached number one in 13 countries, making it his third Billboard Hot 100 since the start of his career. Apart from this song, let’s not forget ‘Get Lucky’ with Daft Punk! Pharrell has scored two million sellers with just these two hits during July this year.
He’s also co-composing the soundtrack of The Amazing Spider-Man 2 together with Hans Zimmer, due to be released next year.
Let’s not forget he's the co-founder of the clothing lines Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream so check it out if you didn’t know about this. By the way, a few weeks ago Pharrell married his long-term girlfriend and mother of his 4 year old son, the model and designer Helen Lasichanh in a tartan themed wedding on a yacht titled Never Say Never, in front of a starry crowd and with his mates Busta Rhymes and Usher playing a mini concert for the occasion. I like your style, Pharrell!
Pharrell became a friend of DAA back in 2009 when his band N.E.R.D teamed up with Fashion Against Aids to design some awesome tees and tank tops with the message ‘Use your brain’. Our founder Ninette met him in the photo studio in New York and she told us he's extremely smart, kind, taller than many people think and he smells very nice. Good to know these things ;-)
Anyhow, as we can see, this guy’s doing pretty well and producing some awesome material every year to keep us dancing all night long. Don't stop any day soon, Pharrell.
