The Neptunes 348364 225266377 2008-07-12T19:57:29Z Jamalar 6414105 {{Infobox musical artist | Name = The Neptunes | Img = | Img_capt = | Img_size = | Background = non_performing_personnel | Origin = [[Virginia Beach]], [[Virginia]] [[USA]] | Genre = [[Hip hop music|Hip hop]], [[pop music|Pop]], [[dance music|Dance]], [[funk music|Funk]] | Occupation = [[Record producer|Producing]],[[arranger]] | Years_active = [[1994]]-present | Label = [[Star Trak]] | Instrument = [[Drum]], [[Keyboard instrument|keyboards]], [[synthesizer]]s, [[Music sequencer|Sequencer]], [[Saxophone]], [[Guitar]] | Associated_acts = [[N*E*R*D]], [[Clipse]], [[Madonna (entertainer)|Madonna]], [[Jay-Z]], [[Kenna]], [[SWV]] | URL = | Current_members = [[Pharrell Williams]] <br/>[[Chad Hugo]] <br/> | Past_members = | Notable_instruments = }} <!-- *** PLEASE NOTE 'THE NEPTUNES' AND 'PHARRELL' ARE NOT INTER-CHANGEABLE *** --> '''The Neptunes''' (or "Neptoons") is the name for the record production duo consisting of [[Pharrell Williams]] and [[Chad Hugo]], and backup vocalist [[Shae Haley]] who created the sound for some very successful [[hip hop music|Hip Hop]], [[R&B]] and [[Pop music|Pop]] artists in the late-90s and 2000s. The Neptunes' sound is a highly distinctive brand of off-kilter, stripped-down electronic [[funk]]. Along with [[Timbaland]] and [[Dr. Dre]] they were the driving force behind many of the musical innovations of late-90s/2000s hip-hop, helping to introduce weirder, spacier sound effects, exotic percussion, and other idiosyncrasies into the modern hip-hop mainstream. Pharrell has further pushed the role of the producer into the public eye{{Fact|date=July 2007}}, singing and (later) rapping on records and appearing in [[music videos|videos]], unlike his production partner Chad, and sometime vocal partner [[Shae Haley]] tended to stay behind the scenes to an extent. They are rather wealthy [[Hip Hop|hip hop]] entertainers, having a net worth estimate of $155 [[million]]. <ref>[http://panachereport.com/channels/hip%20hop%20gallery/2006RichestInHip-Hop.htm Panache Report]</ref> == Biography == Pharrell and Chad met, despite going to different schools, at a jazz workshop at age 12 where Williams was a drummer and Hugo played tenor saxophone.<ref name=theage> "[http://www.theage.com.au/articles/2004/05/12/1084289744331.html?from=storyrhs Like the song? These guys wrote it]", [[The Age]], May 15, 2004</ref> They were also both members of a [[marching band]], 'P' on the [[kettle drum]]; Chad being a student [[conducting|conductor]]. In 1990 Chad and Pharrell formed a 4-piece "R&B type" group along with friends [[Shay Haley|Shay]] and Mike Etheridge, which they named ''The Neptunes''. Upon entering a local talent contest, they were discovered by [[Teddy Riley (new jack swing)|Teddy Riley]], whose studio was close to Pharrell's school.<ref name=yolk>"[http://www.yolk.com/v092/chadhugo1.html Chad Hugo: Rock Star], an interview with Yolk Magazine, 2002</ref> After graduating from high school, they signed with Riley as a group.<ref name=hhg>"[http://www.hiphopgame.com/index2.php3?page=neptunes Neptunes production techniques; an interview with Chad Hugo]" on hiphopgame.com, from the December 2003 issue of 'Sound & Recording'</ref> Through working with Riley, Pharrell went on to write a verse for [[Wreckx-N-Effect]]'s '92 #2 (billboard hot 100) hit "Rump Shaker". In '94, Hugo and Williams had established themselves formally as a production duo under the previously used name "The Neptunes", and produced "Tonight's The Night" from [[BLACKstreet]]'s self-titled debut (Riley being a member of BLACKstreet). Over the next three years they continued to produce occasionally. Some of the production had little resemblance to the Neptunes sound we know today, such as their productions for [[SWV]] (1996) and [[Total (band)|Total]] (1996), however, some such as [[Mase]]'s '98 No.8 (Billboard hot 100) hit "Lookin' At Me" (from the ''Harlem World'' album, 1997) showed clear signs the Neptunes sound was developing. Their first major production hit, and the most clear beginning of the distinctive Neptunes sound, came with [[N.O.R.E.]]'s ''Superthug'' in 1998, reaching #36 on the [[Billboard Hot 100]], and gaining them widespread attention for the first time. The duo then went on to work heavily with [[Kelis]], producing her first album ''[[Kaleidoscope (Kelis album)|Kaleidoscope]]'' and [[Ol' Dirty Bastard]]'s record ''Got Your Money'', on which Kelis is featured. Followed that year with huge commercial success with tracks like [[Jay-Z]]'s "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)", [[Mystikal]]'s "Shake Ya Ass", and then-newly-renamed [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]'s single "D.I.D.D.Y". Other notable hits during their commercial rise was [[Busta Rhymes]]' "Pass The Courvoisier pt. 2" and [[Usher (entertainer)|Usher]]'s "You Don't Have to Call". [[Kelis]] was one of several artists whose careers Hugo and Williams have helped launch; artists such as the [[Clipse]], [[Vanessa Marquez]] and [[Justin Timberlake]]'s solo career were also closely tied to the Neptunes involvement. They have also helped re-launch the careers of [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Robin Thicke]] and [[Mystikal]]. In [[2001]] The Neptunes gained their first world-wide hit with [[Britney Spears]]' single, "[[I'm A Slave 4 U]]", which reached #1 in several countries in Europe and South America. The following year they reached #1 in the U.S. with [[Nelly]]’s single, "[[Hot in Herre]]". In August of the same year, The Neptunes were named "Producers of the Year" at both [[The Source]] Awards and the [[Billboard Music Awards]]. In [[2003]], they released a self-credited album called ''[[The Neptunes Present... Clones]]'', featuring songs and remixes from various [[Star Trak]] artists. This album topped the [[United States|US]] [[Billboard 200]] Albums Chart. The Neptunes went home with two [[Grammy Awards]] in [[2004]], one for "Producer of the Year, Non-Classical", and another for "Best Pop Vocal Album" for their work on Justin Timberlake's No.2 Billboard hit ''[[Justified (album)|Justified]]''. They also gained their first [[UK]] #1, again with [[Nelly]], and ''[[Flap Your Wings]]''. A survey in August 2003 found the Neptunes produced almost 20% of songs played on British radio. A similar survey in the US had them at 43%.<ref name=theage /> This level of radio domination is unprecedented in recent years, and highlights the effect they have had on music and production development in this era. ==The Neptunes Sound== Their 'sound' is mostly [[synthesizer]] [[riff]]s, [[Sampler (musical instrument)|Sampling Keyboard]] and modules. The Neptunes sound was first heard on [[Noreaga]]'s [[1998]] track ''Superthug'', which made it officially known as "The Neptunes Sound". ===Drums=== A Neptunes production is characterized by unique drums, futuristic-sounding [[snare drum|snares]] and the use of module presets. "[[Grindin']]" was a drum track that paid tribute to [[Run DMC]]s song of the same nature, "Sucker MC's". Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You" paid tribute to the drums of the funk era, where the loop consisted of various snare sounds. The Neptunes even took a psychedelic tip on Busta Rhymes's hit "Light Ya Ass on Fire", a song which included drums that were almost science-fiction sounding. They have even used the popular 808 drums on such songs such as [[LL Cool J]]'s and [[Jamie Foxx]]'s collaboration "Best Dress". The Neptunes' engineer, in an [http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul05/articles/andrewcoleman.htm interview with Sound on Sound magazine], revealed many of their production techniques. In reference to their drums he said, "Williams will play a standard drum kit, then I will cut 16 bars of it into a loop, before using the same method for other instruments including guitars. That's where a lot of the feel of their records comes from — it's not just machines and loops."<ref>Sound on Sound "[http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul05/articles/andrewcoleman.htm Recording the Neptunes]", July 2005</ref> ===Vocals=== Many Neptunes productions feature a hook with Pharrell singing [[falsetto]], including Jay-Z's "[[Excuse Me Miss]]", Jadakiss' "Hot Sauce To Go", Kelis' "Flashback", and Snoop Dogg's "[[Beautiful (Snoop Dogg song)|Beautiful]]". Pharrell also adds his own rhymes to his productions, including "[[Drop It Like It's Hot]]" in 2004 and "[[Can I Have It Like That]]" from his solo debut album [[In My Mind (Pharrell album)|''In My Mind'']]. ===Synthesizers=== Another signature sound found on Neptunes productions are their distinctive use of synth lines. Examples include the sharp unfiltered [[sawtooth]] bass on [[Busta Rhymes]]' [[As I Come Back]] or [[Kelis]]' [[Milkshake (song)|Milkshake]], the heavy [[sawtooth]] lead in Jay-Z's "[[Excuse Me Miss]] ([[Remix]])", and the siren sound used in Kelis' "Caught Out There". The synthesizers they use include a [[MicroKorg]], and a [[Minimoog Voyager]]. ===Studio Equipment=== There has been much speculation about their tools of the trade. For sequencing they use the [[Korg]] 01/W, for drum sounds they use the sampling keyboard [[Ensoniq ASR-10]], their sound modules include the [[Roland Corporation|Roland]] JV 1080 and JV 2080 and for basslines and filtering they have used the [[MicroKorg]]. They are also well known for using the Korg Triton and incorporating live percussion and acoustic instruments into their music.<ref name=hhg /> ==Other Neptunes-related ventures== ===Star Trak=== The Neptunes' record label, [[Star Trak Entertainment]], includes acts such as [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Slim Thug]] and [[Robin Thicke]]. Star Trak artists generally benefit from more frequent production from The Neptunes, however, criticisms include poor promotion and release scheduling. Former artist include (due to parent label disputes) [[Kelis]] and [[The Clipse]]. ===N*E*R*D=== The rock group [[N*E*R*D]] is composed of Pharrell, Chad and [[Shay Haley]]. It is an acronym of '''''N'''o one '''E'''ver '''R'''eally '''D'''ies''. Their group hits include "[[Lapdance (song)|Lapdance]]", "Rock Star (Poser)" and "[[She Wants To Move]]". The first two singles came from their debut album ''[[In Search Of... (album)|In Search Of...]]'' released in [[2001]], while the latter came from their eagerly anticipated follow-up ''[[Fly Or Die]]'' in [[2004]]. The band recently released a 3rd album, [[Seeing Sounds]], on June 10th 2008. ===Pharrell as a solo artist=== In 2003, [[Pharrell]] released his first solo single, ''[[Frontin']]'' featuring Jay-Z. At the time he claimed it was a one-off song, and that he was not a singer in his own right. However, after several delays, Pharrell released his debut solo album on [[July 24]] <!-- the album was first released to the public, on july 24th - http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000BPN2CC/qid=1156255534/sr=8-1/ref=pd_ka_1/026-3198886-8354834 fact that it was released a day later in the US is irrelevant-->, [[2006]], titled "[[In My Mind (Pharrell album)|In My Mind]]". The first single from the album was a collaboration with [[Gwen Stefani]] titled "[[Can I Have It Like That]]", released in 2005. The album features numerous guests, including [[Jay-Z]], [[Snoop Dogg]], [[Nelly]], [[Slim Thug]], and [[Kanye West]]. ===Billionaire Boys Club=== [[Billionaire Boys Club (clothing)|Billionaire Boys Club]] (BBC) and 'Ice Cream' are the related clothing lines made and distributed by [[A Bathing Ape]]. Originally, Ice Cream and BBC were made by [[Reebok]], but Reebok failed to meet Pharrell's standards of quality when samples of the clothing were produced, though Reebok continues to distribute Ice Cream's footwear line.{{Fact|date=February 2007}} ===Solo production=== {{Unreferenced|date=July 2007}} Recently, although he continues to be credited as "The Neptunes" with the exception of his solo debut ''[[In My Mind (Pharrell album)|In My Mind]]'', Pharrell has been the only member of the duo receiving co-writing credits on some of their productions, implying that he has been producing beats without Hugo's input. Neptunes productions where only Pharrell is credited as a co-writer include Snoop Dogg's street single "[[Vato (song)|Vato]]," [[Ludacris]]'s hit single "[[Money Maker]]," Gwen Stefani's hit single "[[Wind It Up]]," Lupe Fiasco's single "[[I Gotcha (Lupe Fiasco song)|I Gotcha]]," [[Sean Combs|Diddy]]'s "Partners for Life," Jay-Z's "Anything" and the entirety of ''[[Hell Hath No Fury]]'' by the [[Clipse]]. Chad Hugo has made solo productions under the name "Chase Chad," including the majority of [[Kenna]]'s 2003 album ''[[New Sacred Cow]]''. Hugo has been recently producing tracks for [[Marsha Ambrosius]] [http://ny.metro.us/metro/entertainment/article/Growing_pains/7858.html], [[Daniel Merriweather]][http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,,21590512-5006024,00.html], [[Bishop Lamont]][http://www.raptalk.net/news/BishopLamontandChadHugoOfTheNeptunesTeamUp.php], [[Mos Def]] [http://www.hiphopgalaxy.com/Mos-Def-The-Ecstatic-hip-hop-6537.html], [[Ashlee Simpson]] [http://www.absolutepictures.com/news.php?id=2369] and the majority of the production on [[Kenna]]'s 2007 album [[Make Sure They See My Face]]. ==Discography== See [[The Neptunes discography]] ==Awards and achievements== {{further|[[List of The Neptunes awards]]}} ==References== <!--This article uses [[Wikipedia:Footnotes]] for its references. Please use this format when adding references to parts of the article. Any additional references not utilizing this format are subject to deletion, and external links (linkspam) added to this subject is subject to immediate deletion without warning. --> {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://www.startrakmusic.com Star Trak Entertainment] The Neptunes' own label. *[http://www.n-e-r-d.com/ N-E-R-D.com: Official website of N*E*R*D] News, biography, photos, tour information, and forum. The URL "theneptunes.com" was seized by [[domain name]] prospectors. See also: [[cybersquatting]]. *[http://www.bbcicecream.com Billionaire Boys Club] Pharrell's clothing line. *[http://theneptunes.org theneptunes.org] The Neptunes #1 fansite. 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