Pharrell joins forces with Jay-Z on powerful new song "Entrepreneur"

"Entrepreneur" is the first track that Pharrell and Jay-Z have collaborated on since "So Ambitious", which featured on Jay-Z's 2009 LP The Blueprint.

The track lands with a visual directed by Calmatic that highlights the achievements of more than a dozen black entrepreneurs, including Tyler, The Creator. The video also includes a pause dedicated to the late Nipsey Hussle.

Speaking to TIME about the new song, Pharrell said, "The intention for [the] song was all about how tough it is to be an entrepreneur in our country to begin with. Especially as someone of colour, there’s a lot of systemic disadvantages and purposeful blockages. How can you get a fire started, or even the hope of an ember to start a fire, when you’re starting at disadvantages with regards to health care, education, and representation?"

He continues, "When you have successful beehive-type communities where you can circulate money within your community, it makes a huge difference. They keep saying the American Dream is about the house and picket fence, the wife and two kids. Come on - let’s be honest. It’s always boiled down to money and an opportunity."

Pharrell adds, "The song is trying to communicate that when we stick together, treat each other better and welcome each other, there’s more money and more opportunity for everyone."