He then signed with Virgin and Interscope Records to release his debut studio album, In My Mind (2006), which peaked at number three on the Billboard 200 despite mixed critical reception.

on Star Trak signee Robin Thicke's 2013 single "Blurred Lines", which peaked atop the Billboard Hot 100 and received diamond certification by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Williams' 2013 single, "Happy"—released for the soundtrack to the animated film Despicable Me 2—became his second song to peak atop the chart that same year.

[22] In the early 1990s, Williams formed a hip-hop group named Surrounded by Idiots with Chad Hugo, Magoo, and cousin Timbaland; they disbanded before making any records.

[30] That year, the Neptunes produced numerous songs on Justin Timberlake's debut album Justified, including the singles "Señorita", "Like I Love You", and "Rock Your Body".

[32] The Neptunes produced Gwen Stefani's single "Hollaback Girl", which entered the Billboard Hot 100 at number 82 on the issue dated April 2, 2005,[33] and topped the chart within six weeks of its release.

[37] The Neptunes produced several songs on Stefani's second album, The Sweet Escape (2006), including the promotional single, "Yummy", which features Williams.

[41] In June 2008, an article in NME revealed that Williams was interested in producing the next album of American rock band the Strokes.

[44] Williams worked with Shakira on her songs "Did It Again", "Why Wait", "Good Stuff", and "Long Time" for her sixth studio album, She Wolf (2009).

[66] In November 2013, Williams released the first 24-hour music video for "Happy"; guest appearances included Magic Johnson, Steve Carell, Jimmy Kimmel, Odd Future, among others.

[67][68] On November 1, 2013, Williams performed with a gospel choir at Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Charleston, South Carolina, where nine black parishioners were shot and killed on June 17, 2015.

[73] Williams contributed a verse to Future's February 2014 single "Move That Dope", which also featured Pusha T and Casino over production from Mike Will Made It.

[82] Williams co-composed the score for The Amazing Spider-Man 2 (2014) with Hans Zimmer, Johnny Marr, Michael Einziger, and David A.

[87] In January 2015, Williams was announced as the musical director for a 7-continent Live Earth concert on June 18, 2015, to raise awareness about and pressure governments to act on climate change.

[88] On February 8, 2015, Williams made a cameo in an episode of The Simpsons entitled "Walking Big & Tall" where he comes to Springfield to write a new anthem for the town.

[93] In 2015, a unanimous jury determined that "Blurred Lines", which Williams co-wrote and produced, was an infringement of the 1977 Marvin Gaye song "Got to Give It Up".

[101][102] The festival lineup included Travis Scott, Migos, Janelle Monáe, SZA, Rosalía, Anderson .Paak, Jhené Aiko, Mac DeMarco, Maggie Rogers, Lil Uzi Vert, Missy Elliott, Pusha T, Dave Matthews Band, and DRAM.

[104] The "Pharrell and Friends" set that closed the festival's second day, featured Williams and a lineup of guests, including Jay-Z, Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Usher, Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Charlie Wilson, and Tyler, the Creator.

[105] The festival's final day featured Trey Songz, Chris Brown, Lil Duval, and members of SWV and Blackstreet.

[106] Williams produced five songs for Walt Disney Pictures' The Lion King (2019), marking his third collaboration with composer Hans Zimmer.

[107] In October 2019, Williams stated that he regretted the 2013 song "Blurred Lines", which received intense backlash for its apparent sexist themes.

[110] In the past, Williams has stated that he does not have any direct musical influences,[111] but he has expressed his admiration for several musicians, including Michael Jackson, J Dilla, Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye, Rakim, and Q-Tip.

[111][112] Williams explained that A Tribe Called Quest's debut album, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990), caused a "turning point" in his life, which "made him see that music was art".

[115] In 2005, Williams partnered with Japanese fashion icon Nigo to create the streetwear brands Billionaire Boys Club and Ice Cream footwear.

[119][120][better source needed] In May 2011, it was announced that Williams would serve as creative director of KarmaloopTV alongside founder and CEO Greg Selkoe and former AMC president Katie McEnroe.

[131][132] In June 2014, artist collective Rizzoli published a book by FriendsWithYou, We Are Friends With You, that featured contributions from Williams, Alejandro Jodorowsky, and Peter Doroshenko.

[135] In November 2018, Williams performed at a Friends of the Israel Defense Forces Gala, which raised a record high of $60 million.

The education organization under Verizon Foundation works toward providing free technology, internet access, technology-focused curriculum to under-resourced middle schools.

[142] On February 14, 2023, Louis Vuitton announced that Williams had been appointed their new men's creative director, a position left vacant by the death of Virgil Abloh in 2021.

[156] On March 26, 2021, Williams' cousin Donovan Lynch was shot and killed by an officer from the Virginia Beach Police Department after "brandishing a handgun" following three shootings in the area.