Pharrell, who wrote Britney Spears' 'I'm a Slave 4 U,' says he wouldn’t use 'slave' in a song title today (Seen Britney 10 Years Ago & She Didn't Remember Him)

[DiamondCircus]

If Pharrell Williams could do it all again, one of Britney Spears’ most iconic tunes would sound a little different.

As one of the writers and producers behind the pop star’s sultry hit single “I’m a Slave 4 U,” Pharrell admitted that he wouldn’t use the word “slave” if he was penning that tune in 2024.

“That’s not a word to play with these days,” the musician recently told The Hollywood Reporter. “And there’s many different angles, right? Obviously, what my people and my DNA and my ancestors had to endure and overcome, but then there’s also all the atrocity that happens in human trafficking every day. So, no, that’s not something I would say.”

Times change, the songwriter and producer went on to say, adding that such renewed perspectives are ultimately for the best.

“There are a lot of songs that, as the era changes from one day to the next, what was contextually acceptable at one time is no longer acceptable,” he pointed out. “But I think that’s for the better.”

He continued, “I think there are a lot of songs where I wouldn’t say half the things that I said before. As the time changes, so does mentality and hopefully it evolves to a better place. And it’s not about being politically correct, it’s about being universally aware.”

Pharrell teamed up with his then-frequent collaborator Chad Hugo to pen “I’m a Slave 4 U,” a track originally intended for Janet Jackson that would instead become a signature hit for Spears upon its 2001 release. Not only did this lead to the iconic VMAs performance that saw Spears dance with a python draped across her shoulders, it helped signal her transition to a more mature sound.

Pharrell recalled Spears being “eager” and “ready” to make that change while recording the song. “I put a fire under that notion,” he said. “I was like, ‘Oh, that’s how you feeling? OK, let’s put this fire under that. Let’s go.’”

Despite his role in that era of her career, Pharrell hasn’t connected with Spears in over a decade.

“Man, I ain’t spoke to Britney in maybe 10-plus years,” he said. “I think I’ve seen her in the elevator one time. I think we were all going into the same place or something. I can remember exactly where it was, and she had her sunglasses on, and I was like, ‘I know that’s Britney. Maybe she doesn’t remember me. That’s fine.’”

Spears showed some love for the song just last year, sharing a clip from her VMAs performance on X (formerly Twitter). “One of my favorite performances was with an albino python,” she wrote. “I still remember how scared I felt when I was handed this snake and took the stage !!!”

Spears elaborated on the snake performance in her 2023 memoir, The Woman in Me.

Pharrell wouldn’t use 'slave' in a song title after writing Britney Spears' 'I'm a Slave 4 U'

EW.COM

---

Pharrell, who wrote Britney Spears' hit single ‘I’m a Slave 4 U,’ says he wouldn’t use 'slave' in a song title now: 'That’s not a word to play with these days.'

 

[DiamondCircus]

This part is so sad.

“Man, I ain’t spoke to Britney in maybe 10-plus years,” he said. “I think I’ve seen her in the elevator one time. I think we were all going into the same place or something. I can remember exactly where it was, and she had her sunglasses on, and I was like, ‘I know that’s Britney. Maybe she doesn’t remember me. That’s fine.’” 

[Agyness]

It's not surprising to act amnesiac to avoid situations that reactivate trauma or put us in a position where we have to face someone else's gaze. 

Edited Wednesday at 08:25 PM by Agyness

[Fay1981]

Just now, Agyness said:

It's not surprising to act amnesiac to avoid situations that reactivate trauma or put oneself in a position where they have to face someone else's gaze. 

Is it traumatic to say hello to someone you know for many years?

[Agyness]

Just now, Fay1981 said:

Is it traumatic to say hello to someone you know for many years?

In Britney's case, the shame and sorrow eat away at her so much that she prefers to avoid everyone from her past, yes. He didn't say he said hello tho. 

[PerfectLover.]

4 minutes ago, Fay1981 said:

Is it traumatic to say hello to someone you know for many years?

Maybe she didn't see him. He didn't even talk to her 

Edited Wednesday at 08:30 PM by PerfectLover.

[DiamondCircus]

3 minutes ago, Fay1981 said:

Is it traumatic to say hello to someone you know for many years?

This was when she was still in the C Ship and 10 years ago, it's possible she wasn't allowed to talk to him in the elevator. 

[CentralCJ]

She lives in the moment baby even when she’s stuck in a elevator with your *** bless her 

[humstarr]

Well yeah human trafficking like she was in for 13 years. Nobody in the industry seems to get it. 

The song is fire and Britney made it even better. No regrets. 

Ps if things gonna go this way, soon we will be talking like cavemen without using Any words at all 

Edited Wednesday at 08:45 PM by humstarr

[Fay1981]

19 minutes ago, PerfectLover. said:

Maybe she didn't see him. He didn't even talk to her 

Maybe, but that person makes it seem like it was some kind of trauma for her to talk to someone she had known for a long time. Not to mention that, as far as I know, Pharrell never did anything bad to Britney and he was around during a good time in her life. 

[Style.]

Yeah, the song title is definitely an interesting choice, and it’d be even stranger if it had gone to Janet Jackson.

I don’t think Pharrell really stands out in public imo, but he should’ve said something to her when he saw her. Does he really think he’s on that MJ level of legend or what are we supposed to do with this info? 

[whenthedogscaneout]

Oh God. Do not ruin that song with tired *** PC nonsense. 

[Frankie8]

So she doesn't really know him.

Also he said he is the one that gave Britney her career. Talk about ego.

[Agyness]

1 minute ago, Frankie8 said:

So she doesn't really know him.

Also he said he is the one that gave Britney her career. Talk about ego.

where?

[Style.]

2 minutes ago, Frankie8 said:

So she doesn't really know him.

Also he said he is the one that gave Britney her career. Talk about ego.

When? 

[Agyness]

Just now, Style. said:

When? 

it's not true

[BuyingCircusTourDMMe]

4 minutes ago, Frankie8 said:

So she doesn't really know him.

Also he said he is the one that gave Britney her career. Talk about ego.

No he didn’t shut up why is this place constantly filled with lies? it’s exhausting, not everyone hates Britney omg

[rocXtar]

Interesting how the word ‘slave’ traces back to ‘Slav’—a reminder that Slavic women were once a hot commodity in medieval markets from Europe to the Middle East. History’s irony: today’s linguistics shaped by yesterday’s trafficking.

[Frankie8]

5 minutes ago, Agyness said:

where?

 

4 minutes ago, Style. said:

When? 

 

4 minutes ago, Agyness said:

it's not true

 

1 minute ago, BuyingCircusTourDMMe said:

No he didn’t shut up why is this place constantly filled with lies? it’s exhausting, not everyone hates Britney omg

BuyingCircus, calm down. I didn't disrespect your mama.

I read this years ago. He said it in reference to the Neptunes changing her sound to more adult and switching course from teen pop.

[Style.]

3 minutes ago, Frankie8 said:

 

 

 

BuyingCircus, calm down. I didn't disrespect your mama.

I read this years ago. He said it in reference to the Neptunes changing her sound to more adult and switching course from teen pop.

Oh, yes I remember something but I’m not sure if he used those words or not.