Welcome to the newest installment of Way Back Wednesday, where I remind you about some classic jams from way back…
A few weeks back, I spotlighted one of my all-time favorite producers, Timbaland. The only beat-maker who tops Timbo in my heart is a couple of other Virginia natives: Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo. Together, they're the duo otherwise known as The Neptunes, arguably a couple of the best producers in the history of music. Surprisingly, most folks don't know they've been hard at work since the mid-'90s. Pharrell and Chad were also behind the very underrated hip-hop-rock group N.E.R.D., and even founded a record label together, Star Trak Entertainment, now a subsidiary of Universal Music. Pharrell has managed to carve out an illustrious solo career, too. The dude plays multiple instruments, writes and produces music, designs clothing, sings, and, of course, raps. He's a rare talent. Chad Hugo is no slouch, either — a saxophone player, pianist and guitarist who also handles writing and production duties. People that know me are well aware of my passion for The Neptunes and Pharrell. Anything they've worked on can be found in my music collection.
Background: The duo grew up in Virginia Beach and met in a summer camp school. At the time, Pharrell was a drummer and Chad played tenor sax. Both were also members of a marching band; Pharrell played kettle drum and Chad was a student conductor. (On a side note, they formed a group with Timbaland and Magoo called, S.B.I. — Surrounded By Idiots — but disbanded before recording together.) Their career together began in earnest at a local talent show. Sitting amid the attendees was producer, writer and BLACKstreet frontman Teddy Riley, who signed them fresh from graduating high school. Their first notable output was on Wreckx-N-Effect's multi-platinum hit, "Rump Shaker." Teddy called on Pharrell to write a verse over the booty shaking anthem, and Pharrell delivered. As far as production goes, the boys got their first crack co-producing the BLACKstreet bedroom ode, "Tonight's The Night."
The Neptunes' style is a distinctive blend of off-kilter, stripped-down electro-funk littered with Middle Eastern and Asian sonic embellishments. The Neptunes' first major production hit, and the clearest start of a distinctively Neptunes sound came with N.O.R.E.'s "Superthug" in 1998.
If you take a moment and reflect on artists that the Neptunes were behind exposing or re-starting, you'll realize it's an amazing feat, and comprehend why they deserve a place at the top. You want a huge hit single, you call The Neptunes. Their first full album production came on, Kaleidoscope, the debut LP of newcomer R&B singer Kelis. Hers was among the many careers Hugo and Williams helped launch; the Clipse and Justin Timberlake's respective solo careers are also closely tied to the Neptunes' involvement, and they also helped re-invigorate Snoop Dogg, Robin Thicke and Mystikal.
Below are some notable songs that The Neptunes have worked on, be it via writing or production.
Wreckx-N-Effect, "Rumpshaker"
There are so many jams that the Neptunes have turned into gold. I know it's hard to pick a favorite, but which Neptunes-produced song is near and dear to you? Tell us in the comments.
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2015.