Pharrell Williams credits Daft Punk with relaunching solo career

Pharrell Williams is convinced French dance stars Daft Punk brought his solo career back from the brink of oblivion by inviting him to collaborate with them last year (13).

The former N.E.R.D star was unhappy with his 2006 debut solo album In My Mind and thought that part of his career was over until he met the One More Time hitmakers, who asked him to sing on their huge hit single Get Lucky.

Williams says, "It was a dreadful experience (my first album)... I thought my days as an artist were over. I was happy guesting or producing work and that suited me fine. But then Daft Punk and last year happened and it just blew me away and now I'm in an appreciative place and it means more.

"Working with Daft Punk has been a huge part of the journey to where I am today... I was appreciative when I did it and I'm still appreciative of the chance I was given."

Williams went on to land a slot on Robin Thicke's mega-hit Blurred Lines, before scoring success with his own Oscar-nominated single Happy.

His second album GIRL is due for release in March (14).