http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.37888&rws=%2Fnerd%2Fmusic-videos.rssA production duo comprising Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, the Neptunes (aka N.E.R.D.) rose from obscurity at the turn of the 21st century to become a pre-eminent hit-making force in hip-hop. Known for their eclectic, club-ready singles, their contagious beats have underpinned major hits by the likes of Jay-Z ("I Just Wanna Love U"), Noreaga ("Superthug"), and Mystikal ("Shake Ya Ass"). In 2001, they formed the side-project N.E.R.D with longtime friend and rapper Shay Haley, and the collaboration resulted in the exceptional LP <i>In Search Of</i>. A highly musical, genre-blending affair, the release merged their usual jumpy beatscapes with soulful singing, thick pop melodies and psychedelic sonic trickery. In 2004, the band followed up with <I>Fly Or Die</i>, which saw Hugo and Williams picking up instruments for the first time. 2008's <I>Seeing Sounds</i> teetered between two worlds, mixing future-forward hip-hop with extended full-band workouts. As the Neptunes, the duo continues to churn out hits for major pop artists; as N.E.R.D., they satisfy their desire to expand their musical horizons. - Sarah BardeenHitmakersen720Wed, 25 Nov 2009 08:21:57 -0800 http://static.realone.com/rotw/images/logo_rhapsody_113x22.gif http://www.rhapsody.com/goto?rcid=art.37888&rws=%2Fnerd%2Fmusic-videos.rss A production duo comprising Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, the Neptunes (aka N.E.R.D.) rose from obscurity at the turn of the 21st century to become a pre-eminent hit-making force in hip-hop. Known for their eclectic, club-ready singles, their contagious beats have underpinned major hits by the likes of Jay-Z ("I Just Wanna Love U"), Noreaga ("Superthug"), and Mystikal ("Shake Ya Ass"). In 2001, they formed the side-project N.E.R.D with longtime friend and rapper Shay Haley, and the collaboration resulted in the exceptional LP <i>In Search Of</i>. A highly musical, genre-blending affair, the release merged their usual jumpy beatscapes with soulful singing, thick pop melodies and psychedelic sonic trickery. In 2004, the band followed up with <I>Fly Or Die</i>, which saw Hugo and Williams picking up instruments for the first time. 2008's <I>Seeing Sounds</i> teetered between two worlds, mixing future-forward hip-hop with extended full-band workouts. As the Neptunes, the duo continues to churn out hits for major pop artists; as N.E.R.D., they satisfy their desire to expand their musical horizons. - Sarah Bardeen