Pharrell Williams Joins Music Tech Company ROLI as CCO

ROLI, the UK startup that has created next-generation musical instruments like the Seaboard and ROLI BLOCKS, announced that Pharrell Williams is the team’s new chief creative officer.

In his new position, Williams will work with Roland to develop new musical instruments that are “iconic, digitally connected, and accessible to all.” Their collaboration will accelerate the arc of innovation that began with the award-winning Seaboard and BLOCKS, which have been called “two of the most compelling music-making devices in recent memory.” As part of their long-term partnership, Williams will invest in and become a co-owner of ROLI.

“Music touches all of us, and for a long time I’ve been passionate about finding ways to share the power of music with more people,” said Williams. “When I met Roland and ROLI, I immediately felt we were working toward exactly the same goals, and so I’m super excited that we’re kicking off this partnership.”

“Our mission is to empower everyone to create music – and, more broadly, to empower people as creators,” said Roland Lamb, founder of ROLI and inventor of its instruments. “Pharrell is not just an extraordinary musician, he embodies creativity. His ideas will take us in exciting new directions.”