This award is presented to the artist; vocal tracks must make up 51% or more to be considered.
"In My Mind"- Pharrell
(Star Trak/Interscope Records)
Billboard Album Review- "In My Mind"- July 29, 2006: Pharrell Williams fully flexes his artistic license on this 15-track solo debut "In My Mind," split almost evenly between rap and R&B. But the Neptunes' hitmaker proves he is more believable as a producer or guest than as a starring attraction. It is easy to imagine more capable artists draped over the album's jazzy arrangements and intense drum sequences: Nas would flow flawlessly on "You Can Do It Too," for example. And the actual guest rappers-including Jay-Z ("Young Girl/I Really Like You") and Snoop Dogg ("That Girl")-rhyme effortlessly while Williams struggles with his timing and delivery. He is creative in some places ("How Does It Feel?") but his beats are simply more alluring than his often inscrutable lyrics. While he is certainly an innovative producer, that originality fails to translate on "In My Mind."
