Here's the context for the non-Nard nerds out there: At this point in 2008, Nard has been on Much Music (Canada's MTV) for seven years, but he's been doing interviews since the late '80s. He was very well known in Canada for his goofy personality and off-kilter questions but primarily he was known for his knowledge of rock music, in particular '60s garage rock and punk. Of course, these aren't the first rappers he's interviewed, there's the famous Snoop Dogg interviews, Ice Cube, Nas, etc. But Nard's ability to impress Pharrell here led to Pharrell telling Jay-Z he should talk to Nard. It was also not long after this that Nard no longer worked for Much Music but instead starting building up his BRvid page. So, this interview is really a turning point in Nardwuar's career, it's the moment that the hip-hop world really started to pay attention to him and no longer laugh him off, as Pharrell even does initially. But he sticks with it and is clearly blown away by Nard's dedication and passion. Love you Nardwuar!
It's all cool. But Pharrell didn't laugh at him in the beginning. He even was genuinely curious about whether Nardwar meant something. He ask Nard repeatedly about it.
It's the progression through the interview where they just get more and more mindblown, like you said from laughing him off to start with, through to almost short circuiting.
Even now if you try to look up what he’s referencing for a lot of rappers it’s not “search engine,” able. Nard has methods beyond being nice with the internet
Even today, how deep Narduwar goes with all his guest his rare! In the audio (longer) version of this, Shay tells everyone to buy their upcoming “Seeing Sounds” album, so this looks to be from 2008. I thought this interview was from 2002 for some reason!
@ally baapp That interview is legendary simply because of who are you and he goes on the prep answer and he just fires back with your jay z nothing else matters in that
This is the level of recognition that Nardwuar deserves. Kudos to Pharrell for recognizing and paying compliments when respect is due. Carl Sagan! Chuck Norris!
after watching all the nardwuar interviews in the 90s, and seeing him get trashed... it's so satisfying to see his hard work come to fruition. Finally getting the respect he deserves.
@James Imperial Yep I remember that. I don't think the artist took him serious. I remember the Henry Rollins interview and Henry could care less and just like wanting to leave the interview. I'm sure there was more but I don't remember.
Around 6:15 Pharrell's mind is completely blown. Defenses down, and honesty. Almost like a teenager again. Fucking, this is why Nardwaur is badass as all fuck.
This is how interviews are suppose to be..Nardwuar does his research and some interviewers don't they will probably ask about rumors. Nardwuar goes into depth about music ,about there childhood , even about things we didn't even know as fans and some artist didn't even know what he even know.
It's amazing how humble Pharrell is. When he said "yes sir" on a question "you guys are called N.E.R.D" at 8:06. You can see that he's raised right and the fame didn't got to him at all.
It is part of his slang but pharrell is still a very humble and people focused person, I've been following his career for a while and he's never made something I haven't been impressed by and it's always cool to see him interact with people who are really good at what they do
My wife waited on him a couple years ago, she said he was so respectful, everything was yes ma’am no ma’am. His bill came out to $400 and he tipped her $600. It was awesome to find out he’s just as solid in person as he is on these interviews
I love how this guy is able to push everyone's buttons... not just in terms of his humor, but how he's able to make little connections that resonate with the different interviewees. In particular, seeing Pharrell light up when he broke out the Carl Sagan record was pretty great.
This interview must be preserved at all costs forever. Actually uplifting to see the joy bouncing off of these three guys, I bet they made each others day.
The beginning of this interview into the transition is so fascinating to me. You have two giants of their craft, one who knows where it's going, and one who thinks it's a normal interview, I can see Nard feeling the tension, so he brings himself down and makes fun of himself, knowing he has about 10 trap cards in his back pocket, and Pharrell naively takes the bait. Then the outer shell of Pharrell drops, which you normally need for bad interviewers trying to get a soundbite for TMZ, as soon as Nard starts bringing out the old memories. It's an incredibly interesting power dynamic to me that resolves from mutual antagonizing to mutual respect, one of my favorite interviews ever. I loved both Pharrell's music and Nardwuar's interview before I saw this, but the interview just cemented those.
Nardwuar always seems so real and it's like he never means to offend anybody in his interviews. This guy is awesome, and i would really love to see even longer interviews ... I mean it's always really interesting cuz' he's done a lot of research before the interview and he AND the artist he's interviewing are always telling you something new and really interesting ... well, that's it. Narwuar is awesome ! DOOO TOOOOO :D
Pharrell almost shed a tear a few times in this interview. You can tell Nardwaur touched him and Pharrell appreciated the talent and dedication like no other interviewer plus it took him down memory lane as opposed to the regular clout chasing interview
The greatest moments > 2:12 Skateboarding Vancouver (book) 2:35 Carl Sagan: The Music Of Cosmos (1981) 12" vinyl 3:50 Robin Williams / "Mork" doll 4:32 Military Circle Mall 5:04 Wreckx-N-Effect "Rump Shaker" (1992) 12" single 6:50 Mount Trashmore Skate Park rumor 7:31 Chuck Norris Karate Studio 8:40 Aladdin's Castle Video Arcade 9:07 N.E.R.D. phone ?
you know, I think I know why these interviews are so impressive. Narwuar doesn't present these people as current music sensations, but instead presents them as individual history lessons. which is awesome. it gives the interviewer and the audience wayy more information about our subject.
Pharrell was likely a kid who watched Cosmos when it was on. Cosmos was a great show that helped kids see the wonder of science. Carl Sagan was terrific at spreading science and making it palatable to the general public. I wish he was still around.
This exchange epitomizes a growing mutual respect as the interview progresses, truly great to watch and appreciate. I believe this was the foundation of Pharrell's friendship with Nardwar
Never in my 23 years of existence have I ever been interested in the name "Pharell" or his music. This interview changed that. Pharrell sounds very intelligent. I'm now going to do more 'research' of my own.
Please listen to the songs - “big white spaceship” by Pharrell & Timbaland - “wheres yours at” by Pharrell and Rohff - “the way she dances” by N.E.R.D - “Jump” by N.E.R.D - “fly or die” by N.E.R.D
It's crazy to know how much this interview affected Nardwuar now. I think it means a lot how to Nardwuar much this interview meant to Pharrell because this is still Nardwuar in his beginning stages. I think this really shaped Nardwuar and helped reinforce how great an interviewer he is now. It's nice to see two hardworking individuals affect each other this much.
He begins with Pharrell's childhood and then goes through his life, puts everything in his lap, completely catching him off guard and leading him into a stage of nostalgia, irritation...
@I AM DA TONE Great interview. I'm glad Pharrell acknowledged it too, Nuard has a lot of great interviews with in depth research but some artists are nonchalant and dismissive towards his efforts.
I still come to this video every so often to witness 2 things: 1) How humble and authentic both Pharrell and Shay are. But especially Pharrell. He seems like such a sincere laid back dude. Like down to earth as fuck and super approachable.. the perfect person to drink a few beers with. 2) The reaction of Pharrell as Nawdwuar slowly uncovers hidden gem after hidden gem of underground information as the interview progresses. It’s clearly stuff that means a lot to them and he’s just so fucking blown away. And seeing Pharrell’s genuine appreciation and acknowledgment of how much work Nardwuar put into bringing all of that together is so satisfying. This is easily the interview that made me realize Nardwuar should be taken seriously. He isn’t just some shticky gimmicky goofball.. but a mad scientist with underrated talent and crazy work ethic. And it’s all thanks to Pharell
always loved this one pharrell is just blown away how many interviews does the interviewed just stand speechless in awe of the research of the questions nardwaur a cold beast
Hearing the meaning behind "human serviette" is so interesting, not knowing what it meant before. It's like a comment on how interviewers are typically thought of, just a napkin for celebrities to wipe their face with and throw away. But then "the human napkin" ends up being the most thoughtful and interesting person you could possibly imagine.
I remember the first time i saw this and i instantly thought that Pharrell would not react well to Nardwuar. To see him really kind of appreciate the knowledge and bizarre approach is what makes this one of the best interviews he has done.
+emmie1995s Not just that, but you can really tell what a genuine, curious and perceptive person he is from this interview. Pretty much unfair considering his talent.
Nardwuar uses 3 magic questions, once you hit #3 and trigger one’s childhood/ teenage memories it captivates a person neurology into profound trances, hypnosis …its human psychology… thats why its brilliant!!! Respect :)
There’s an even longer (30 minute) version of this interview on Spotify. On Narduwar’s CiTR podcast. Highly recommend listening, as quite a lot was edited from this TV version (probably due to broadcast timing limits)
“i can only aspire to be someone who people learn as much from as they’ve learned from Carl Sagan” it’s amazing that Pharrell has fulfilled that wish, and Tyler the Creator is evidence
Pharrell clearly doesn’t like his first impression of Nardwuar. He grinds him about his name and Nardwuar just rolls through. It doesn’t take long for Pharrell to realize that when you’re great at what you do, you call the shots. It’s kind of like going to shithole looking restaurant, regretting being there, then eating the best meal of your life. Pharrell doesn’t even want to do an interview part way through, he just wants to shower Nardwuar with praise!
I’ve been to that restaurant and after eating I suddenly realized how everything I thought was terrible about the place was actually perfect. Because it just all fit together but I was too blind to see it.
Nardwuar logic: 1) establish connection by giving them something to laugh at 2) build trust by talking about their childhood memories 3) once trust is established, make fun of them
I love that Pharrell engineered a 2nd interview so he could try show his appreciation ang give back to him. Is there an interview about that interview? Has Nard been on any chat shows ?or does he keep himself a mysterious gentleman genius??
I really like that he wanted to know about Nardwuar’s name, such a small detail but you can genuinely hear the curiosity in his voice. That’s often not something he receives on his end.
This interview was crazy as a box of frogs💫 🐸. Clearly this caddyshack as done is homework on pharrell love it confused who s the fan pharrell or nardwuark . the human napkin explains it all soaks up knowledge on anything anyone like a sponge fck me method in a madness on a other level .. ✌🎧
I don't understand, how does he know all of these information? I really think he works for like the government or something. Cause I've watched some of his interviews and the stuff he know is just purely amazing. There's no way research can get you all of these information on people. Never judge a book by it's cover...Nardwuar is a genius.
