The incredibly talented Kenya Barris and Pharrell Williams will apparently be combining their creative minds to develop a musical to commemorate the end of slavery in the United States, known nationally as Juneteenth, for Netflix.
Kenya Barris, the creator of ABC’s hit show Black-ish and music and fashion mogul Pharrell are currently in talks with the streaming giant to develop a feature musical for the site, separate from the Juneteenth inspired stage musical the pair is currently working on.
The 47-year-old Grammy award-winning Neptunes producer will co-produce the project with partner Mimi Valdes via their I Am Other banner. Barris will produce through his Khalabo Ink Society production company.
Details about the production remain under wraps because the pair are still in the early stages of development for the project.
Williams, who is originally from Virginia, announced last week with Governor Northam that Juneteenth will be recognized as a paid holiday for the first time in the state’s history. The "Happy" singer said the move was a way for the current government and citizens to “stand in solidarity with their African American brothers and sisters.” Barris has also previously expressed interest in recognizing Juneteenth as a national holiday, kicking off the fourth season of Black-ish with a Juneteenth-inspired musical.
The collaboration will be the second time Barris and Williams work together.