Seasoned musician and producer Pharrell Williams has hopped on an “unorthodox” project and is taking us to church.
On Sunday, the award-winning singer announced he is collaborating with Netflix to produce an upcoming unscripted gospel docuseries. Pharrell, 47, broke the news in the company of his uncle, Bishop Ezekiel Williams, at the virtual Essence Festival.
Titled Voices of Fire, the docuseries will follow Williams’ uncle, who is also a seasoned musician, as they search and build “one of the world’s most inspiring and diverse gospel choirs” in their hometown of Hampton Roads, Virginia.
Happy Sunday! Excited to announce Voices of Fire, a new docuseries that follows @Pharrell's hometown community as it builds one of the world’s most inspiring and diverse gospel choirs. Only on Netflix later this year! pic.twitter.com/YvPGuTTpd4
— Strong Black Lead (@strongblacklead) July 5, 2020
“Pharrell’s uncle and a well-respected musical genius in the area, Bishop Ezekiel Williams and his core team of influential gospel leaders will venture out into Hampton Roads to find undiscovered talent,” Netflix said in a statement. “With the belief that diverse backstories can give their collective voice a greater meaning, the Bishop and his team will be searching for people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.”
The docuseries, which is set to be released later in the year, will be produced by Williams’ i am OTHER multi-media company and A. Smith & Co. The announcement comes on the back of the Happy singer reportedly teaming up with Black-ish creator Kenya Barris to develop a Juneteeth feature-length musical in another project for the streaming giant.
