Pharrell Says "The Powers That Be" Kept Cee Lo Green From Originally Releasing "Happy"

PHARRELL: “THE POWERS THAT BE” KEPT CEE LO GREEN FROM RELEASING HIS ORIGINAL VERSION OF “HAPPY”

(AllHipHop News) Pharrell’s 2013-2014 has been a phenomenal run of artistic and commercial success with the smash hit “Happy” as the crown jewel. However, according to Pharrell, this year of dominance could very well have been Cee Lo Green’s.

While appearing on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show, Pharrell revealed that “Happy” was originally intended for Cee Lo Green and Green actually even recorded to the song. Although, Green expressed interest in releasing the record, Pharrell stated other forces kept him from doing so:

The powers that be at the time did not see it fit for him. There was a much bigger agenda. He had bigger fish to fry. He had an album coming out.

Pharrell’s version of “Happy” was released commercially on the Despicable Me soundtrack in June 2013. Four months later, the Los Angeles Police Department reinvestigated an alleged rape case involving Cee Lo Green. This would not be the first time Pharrell has replaced Cee Lo Green, presumably due to his court case. Less than a month ago, Pharrell was announced as the replacement for Cee Lo Green on NBC’s The Voice.

Check out Pharrell speak on “Happy” and Cee Lo Green’s situation on SiriusXM’s The Howard Stern Show below: