The Neptunes

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The Neptunes
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Background information
Also known asWilliams and Hugo
Origin Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
Genres
Years active1992– 2024
Labels
Members
Website theneptunes.org

The Neptunes are an American songwriting and production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provides additional vocals on records and appears in the duo's music videos, while Hugo tends to stay behind the scenes.

Contents

Since their inception, The Neptunes have produced songs for a multitude of artists, including Clipse, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kelis, N.O.R.E., Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Robin Thicke, Gwen Stefani, and Snoop Dogg, among others. [1] In 2009, Billboard ranked the Neptunes number one on their list of the top 10 producers of the decade. [2] In January 2020, the Neptunes were announced to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a part of the 2020 class, [1] and in May 2021, Hugo and Williams received Honorary Doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee. [3]

History

Williams and Hugo met at a summer camp for the school of the Gifted and Talented in Virginia Beach, Virginia, where Williams played drums and Hugo played tenor saxophone. [4] [5] Upon entering a local talent contest in 1992 as the Neptunes, they were discovered by Teddy Riley, whose studio was close to Williams' school. [5] [6] Through working with Riley, the Neptunes wrote Wreckx-n-Effect's 1992 song "Rump Shaker" while still in school. [5] They also worked with Riley's group Blackstreet, co-writing the single "Tonight's the Night" from their self-titled debut album. [5]

In 1998, the Neptunes produced New York City-based rapper Noreaga's single "Superthug". [5] They also produced Ol' Dirty Bastard's 1999 single "Got Your Money" featuring singer Kelis, [5] for whom they would entirely produce her debut studio album, Kaleidoscope (1999), and her 2001 album Wanderland . [7] The Neptunes produced hip hop duo Clipse's album, Exclusive Audio Footage (1999), which was intended to be Clipse's debut album before eventually being shelved. [8] In 2000, the Neptunes produced Jay-Z's single "I Just Wanna Love U (Give It 2 Me)" from his fifth studio album, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia , and Mystikal's "Shake Ya Ass", from his fourth studio album, Let's Get Ready . [5]

In 2001, N.E.R.D. released their debut studio album, In Search of... , featuring production from the Neptunes. [9] In the same year, the Neptunes gained their first worldwide hit with Britney Spears' single, "I'm a Slave 4 U", for her eponymous third studio album, Britney . [10]

The Neptunes wrote and produced NSYNC's final single, "Girlfriend", then wrote and produced most of co-lead singer Justin Timberlake's debut solo album, Justified (2002), including lead singles "Like I Love You", "Rock Your Body", and "Señorita". [11]

In 2003, the Neptunes released a compilation album, Clones , featuring songs and remixes from various Star Trak artists. The Neptunes won "Producer of the Year" at the 2004 Grammy Awards. [12]

Discography

Compilation albums

List of albums, with selected chart positions
TitleAlbum detailsPeak chart positionsCertifications
US
[13]
US
R&B
/HH

[13]
CAN
[13]
Clones 117

Singles

List of singles, with selected chart positions
TitleYearPeak chart positionsAlbum
US
[15]
US
R&B
/HH

[16] [17]
US
Rap

[18]
"Frontin'"
(featuring Jay-Z)
200351 Clones
"Light Your Ass on Fire"
(featuring Busta Rhymes)
692312
"It Blows My Mind"
(featuring Snoop Dogg)
68
"Hot Damn"
(featuring Clipse)
58
"Pomegranate" [19]
(with Deadmau5)
2020Non-album single
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

Awards and nominations

The Neptunes awards and nominations
Totals [lower-alpha 1]
Wins6
Nominations18
Note
  1. Certain award groups do not simply award one winner. They recognize several different recipients, have runners-up, and have third place. Since this is a specific recognition and is different from losing an award, runner-up mentions are considered wins in this award tally. For simplification and to avoid errors, each award in this list has been presumed to have had a prior nomination.

The duo has received numerous awards, such as from the Grammy Awards, where they were nominated every year from 2004 to 2007. The Neptunes have received three Grammy Awards: Producer of the Year, Non-Classical, Best Pop Vocal Album for Justified and Best Rap Song for "Money Maker". Overall, the Neptunes have received six awards from eighteen nominations.

Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

The Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards are sponsored by Billboard magazine and held annually in December. [20] [21] [22]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2002The NeptunesSongwriter of the YearNominated
Producer of the YearNominated
2003The NeptunesSongwriter of the YearNominated
Producer of the YearWon
2004The NeptunesProducer of the YearNominated
2009The NeptunesProducer of the DecadeWon

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States. [23] [24] [25] [26]

YearNominee / workAwardResult
2004 The Neptunes Producer of the Year, Non-Classical Won
Justified Best Pop Vocal Album Won
"Frontin'" Best Rap/Sung Collaboration Nominated
"Beautiful"Best Rap/Sung CollaborationNominated
Best Rap Song Nominated
"Excuse Me Miss"Best Rap SongNominated
2005 "Drop It Like It's Hot" Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group Nominated
Best Rap SongNominated
2006 The NeptunesProducer of the Year, Non-ClassicalNominated
2006 The Emancipation of Mimi Best Contemporary R&B Album Won
2007 "Money Maker"Best Rap SongWon
In My Mind Best Rap Album Nominated

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelis</span> American singer (born 1979)

Kelis Rogers, known mononymously as Kelis, is an American singer-songwriter and chef. She attended New York's Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she learned to play the saxophone and won a spot in the Girls Choir of Harlem. Upon graduation, Rogers soon landed a role as a backing vocalist for the hip hop group Gravediggaz. She then began working with music producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, collectively known as the Neptunes, who led her to sign with Virgin Records in 1998.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pharrell Williams</span> American record producer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and fashion designer (born 1973)

Pharrell Lanscilo Williams, often known mononymously as Pharrell, is an American record producer, singer, songwriter, rapper, and fashion designer. Born and raised in Virginia Beach, Virginia, he first became known as one half of the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes, which he formed in 1992 with fellow musician Chad Hugo. Collectively, they have produced 15 singles which peaked within the top ten of the Billboard Hot 100—including four songs that peaked atop the chart—as Williams gained initial recognition as a frequent backing vocalist for the duo's productions. He also formed the alternative band N.E.R.D. with Hugo and drummer Shay Haley in 1999, for which Williams serves as lead vocalist. He has been widely considered as one of the most influential music producers of the 21st century, and is credited with impact on various genres of modern popular music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chad Hugo</span> American record producer

Charles Edward Hugo is an American record producer. Alongside close colleague Pharrell Williams, he formed the hip hop and R&B production duo the Neptunes in 1992, with whom he's produced numerous hit records for various artists. He is also a member of the band N.E.R.D., alongside Williams and Shay Haley, and co-founded the record label Star Trak Entertainment with Williams in 2001. In contrast to Williams, Hugo typically does not perform on records.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clipse</span> American hip hop duo

Clipse, also known as The Clipse, is an American hip hop duo, chiefly active from 1994 to 2010. It consists of brothers Gene "No Malice" and Terrence "Pusha T" Thornton. Pusha T was known as Terrar during the group's early years, while No Malice was originally known as Malicious, then changed his stage name to Malice soon after the group's formation, before changing it again to No Malice in 2012 following a conversion to Christianity. The duo were based in Virginia Beach, Virginia, and were heavily affiliated with producer and fellow Virginia Beach native, Pharrell Williams, who convinced the two in 1992 to be a rap duo instead of solo artists. Williams would go on to serve as their label head, main producer and frequent guest artist through most of their career. The duo frequently rapped about the drug dealing they had done in their youth. Clipse was integral in establishing Virginia as one of the East Coast's strongholds in hip hop.

<i>Lord Willin</i> 2002 studio album by Clipse

Lord Willin' is the major label debut and second studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on August 20, 2002 in the United States by Star Trak and Arista. Recording sessions took place over a year, beginning in 2001. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

<i>Clones</i> (album) 2003 compilation album by The Neptunes

The Neptunes Present... Clones is a compilation album produced and released by American production and songwriting duo The Neptunes. It was released on August 19, 2003 and has been certified Gold by the RIAA. The album featured six singles; "Frontin'" by Pharrell Williams, "Popular Thug" by Kelis, "Light Your Ass on Fire" by Busta Rhymes, “Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Fam-Lay, "Hot Damn" by Clipse and "It Blows My Mind" by Snoop Dogg.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Like I Love You</span> 2002 single by Justin Timberlake

"Like I Love You" is the debut solo single of American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his debut studio album, Justified (2002), which features American hip hop duo Clipse. It was co-written by Timberlake and the Neptunes, who also produced it. The song was released on September 16, 2002, as Timberlake's debut solo single, following the announced hiatus of NSYNC earlier that year. According to Williams, the song's drums were an ode to the funk era.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rock Your Body</span> 2003 single by Justin Timberlake

"Rock Your Body" is a song by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake from his debut studio album, Justified (2002). The Neptunes wrote and produced the song. The song features background vocals by American singer Vanessa Marquez, who was signed to The Neptunes' Star Trak record label at the time. Jive Records released the track on March 17, 2003, as the third single from Justified. Originally intended to be featured on Michael Jackson's tenth studio album Invincible (2001), Jackson rejected the song along with several other tracks, which were instead given to Timberlake for his debut album. It is an uptempo, disco groove, soul infused song containing influences from Jackson and Stevie Wonder.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Milkshake (song)</span> 2003 single by Kelis

"Milkshake" is a song by American singer Kelis from her third studio album, Tasty (2003). Written and produced by the Neptunes, the song was originally offered to Britney Spears for her fourth studio album, In the Zone, but was instead given to Kelis. It was released as the lead single from Tasty in the United States on August 25, 2003, by Star Trak and Arista Records, and internationally on November 24, 2003. According to Kelis, "milkshake" in the song is used as a metaphor for "something that makes women special". The song is noted for its euphemistic chorus and low-beat R&B sound.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelis discography</span>

American singer and songwriter Kelis has released six studio albums, one live album, one compilation album, 40 singles, and 29 music videos. At age 16, she left her parents' home; at the age of 20 she was signed to Virgin Records. Her debut single, "Caught Out There", was released in 1999, reaching number 54 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number four on the UK Singles Chart in the United Kingdom. Her debut album, Kaleidoscope, was released in December 1999 and charted at number 144 on the Billboard 200, and has sold 249,000 copies in the country to date. In the United Kingdom, it was certified gold and has sold over 167,000 copies. Two more singles were released from the album: "Good Stuff" which reached the UK top twenty and "Get Along with You" which failed to chart in the US and charted poorly in the UK. In 2001, her second studio album, Wanderland, was released and featured similar "raw emotion and sophisticated musicianship" of her debut album. The album was not released in the United States, however, and the only single, "Young, Fresh n' New", charted poorly.

<i>Hell Hath No Fury</i> (Clipse album) 2006 studio album by Clipse

Hell Hath No Fury is the third studio album by hip hop duo Clipse. The album was released on November 28, 2006 in the United States by Re-Up, Star Trak and Jive. Recording sessions for the album took place over a period of several years, and suffered numerous delays prior to release. Production was handled by The Neptunes.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pusha T</span> American rapper (born 1977)

Terrence LeVarr Thornton, better known by his stage name Pusha T, is an American rapper. He rose to prominence as one-half of the Virginia-based hip hop duo Clipse, which he formed with his older brother No Malice. Mainly active from 1994 to 2010, the duo were discovered by fellow Virginia-based act Pharrell Williams and signed with his record label Star Trak Entertainment, an imprint of Arista Records to release three studio albums—Lord Willin' (2002), Hell Hath No Fury (2006) and Til the Casket Drops (2009)—to mild commercial success. The former spawned the Billboard Hot 100-top 40 singles "Grindin'" and "When the Last Time", for which they became best known.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young, Fresh n' New</span> 2001 single by Kelis

"Young, Fresh n' New" is a song by American singer Kelis from her second studio album, Wanderland (2001). Kelis co-wrote the song with its producers, The Neptunes. It was released on September 25, 2001, as the only single from the album. The single peaked at number 32 on the UK Singles Chart. In the United States, however, it became her third consecutive single to miss the Billboard Hot 100. Nevertheless, German producer Timo Maas' remix of the song managed to chart on Billboard's Hot Dance Club Play at number 15 in January 2002. The accompanying music video was directed by Diane Martel and filmed in Los Angeles over the weekend of June 9–10, 2001.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I'm Good (Clipse song)</span> 2009 single by Clipse featuring Pharrell

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">No Malice</span> American rapper

Gene Elliott Thornton Jr., better known by his stage name No Malice, is an American rapper from Virginia Beach, Virginia. He is best known for being one half of hip hop duo Clipse, alongside his brother and fellow rapper Pusha T. No Malice released his solo debut album Hear Ye Him, in 2013, and his second studio album, Let the Dead Bury the Dead, in 2017.

<i>Man of the Woods</i> 2018 studio album by Justin Timberlake

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Supplies (song)</span> 2018 single by Justin Timberlake

"Supplies" is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake for his fifth studio album, Man of the Woods (2018). It was written and produced by Timberlake with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes, and released on January 18, 2018. Its music video was directed by Dave Meyers. The song was serviced to rhythmic radio on January 23, 2018, as the album's second single.

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