Isn't Lorde doing practically what Lana was doing though?

Well, they are singers, they both sing.

The industry is far too established to say any 2 rookies are shaping it. I dont agree but i do think both are worthy of commendation. The quality of their music is stand-out

I'm with you Pharrell

Acting like Lorde wasn't signed from the beginning...

true tea from Pharrell

I think it's more meant how they manage their career musically. To bring always something new, to be the talk of the town, to give fans something.

It's so much important today in this shrinking business. Last year, No Doubt and the question of the youth, Who are they?

She had a development deal with UMNZ since she was 13.

Then there is a agreement with Lava Republic, which was signed after the Love Club EP was released on Soundcloud.

Then there is the publishing deal with Songs Music Publishing, where there was a bidding war between Songs, Sony, the publishing branch of Universal and others, where she eventually signed with Songs for $2.5 million.

http://www.billboard.com/biz/article...de-the-lengthy

This publishing deal wasn't signed until after Royals had been at #1 for several weeks, so Pharrell is quite correct to say:

Because she was 16 when signed with Lava Republic and she was 16 when the negotiations with the publishing companies were taking place.

Cups helped save the industry tbh