As blockbuster years go, few are much bigger than what 2013 has been for hitmaker Pharrell Williams.

From crafting smashes such as Robin Thicke’s ‘Blurred Lines’ and Daft Punk’s ‘Get Lucky’, to being part of the team responsible for Beyonce’s surprise album, the 40-year-old is proving he’s more popular than ever. An incredible feat given that he’s been in the industry for well over a decade.

Next on the Neptune star’s agenda – solo success. A venture he’s partnered up with Sony’s Columbia Records to achieve.

Details after the jump…

In a freshly released press statement, Columbia – home to the likes of Adele, Beyonce, and J.Cole – revealed that Williams actually signed with the label in January of this year. Although 2014 is the focus for his solo push.

Speaking of his super signing, the label’s Chairman/CEO Rob Stringer said:

“When we excitedly partnered with Pharrell in January of this year, we felt it was his time again. Since then, ‘Blurred Lines’ and ‘Get Lucky’ have defined pop music in 2013, and now we are preparing to launch Pharrell as a global solo superstar in 2014. ‘Happy’ is just the beginning.”

Of course ‘Happy’ refers to the track Williams released last month (housed on the ‘Despicable Me 2’ soundtrack), which he creatively paired with the world’s first 24-hour-music video.

An innovator, a trail-blazer, and now singular force, it’ll be interesting to follow Skateboard P as he readies his sophomore effort. 2006′ ‘In My Mind’ serves as Williams sole solo project.

For Columbia, Williams is the latest high-profile addition to their roster, with T.I. preceding.

Tidbit: In the UK (which has become a major market for Pharrell) his material will be distributed by fellow Sony Music imprint, RCA UK.

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