Pharrell Williams

Japanese entertainment giant Sony on May 22 unveiled a $1.9-billion deal to buy industry titan EMI Music Publishing, which has the rights to songs by the likes of Queen and Pharrell Williams.

Songs Music Publishing, which holds copyrights to music by stars such as Lorde and Pharrell Williams, announced its sale on Dec. 8 in the latest consolidation in the fast-growing industry.

Famous singer Pharrell Williams dedicated his song “Freedom” to refugees fleeing to Europe and hailed the contribution of immigrants to the economy and culture of US and other countries around the world.

“Let them in!” Pharrell Williams said performing his new track ‘Freedom’ at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Milan.

A US jury on March 10 ordered pop stars Robin Thicke and Pharrell Williams to pay more than $7 million in damages to Marvin Gaye's family, ruling the pair copied his music in writing their 2013 mega-hit "Blurred Lines."       

Fresh-faced Sam Smith could make history Feb. 8 at the Grammys with a chance to sweep top categories, but the music industry's big night could also coronate Beyonce or Pharrell Williams.