‘Frontin’ Pharrell Williams, Jay-Z (2003) “Frontin’” is a 2003 single by Pharrell featuring JAY-Z, released through Star Trak and Arista as Pharrell’s debut solo record and a key bridge between The Neptunes’ early‑2000s run and Pharrell’s own artist era. Pharrell originally wrote it for Prince, then Usher, before deciding to keep it, which is why it sits in that smooth, minimal R&B pocket with just enough bounce to work as a rap record too. JAY-Z only comes in on the final verse, but he anchors the song’s whole concept: a guy pretending he does not care about a woman when everyone can see he clearly does. The production is pure Neptunes: dry drums, sparse chords, rubbery bass, and that clipped guitar line that leaves Pharrell’s falsetto all the space it needs. The video, directed by Paul Hunter, leans fully into early‑2000s luxury party energy with cameos from people like Lauren London and a young Kanye West, matching the song’s cool, effortless tone. It never appeared on a JAY-Z alb...