The Neptunes

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. Upon entering a local talent contest in 1991, the Neptunes were competing with childhood friends Missy Elliott, Timbaland & Magoo, which led to the duo to be discovered by record producer Teddy Riley, whose studio was close to Williams' school. Through working with Riley, Williams wrote Wreckx-n-Effect's 1992 song "Rump Shaker" while still in school. They also worked with Riley's group Blackstreet, co-writing the single "Tonight's the Night" from their self-titled debut album.

In 1998, the Neptunes produced New York City-based rapper Noreaga's single "Superthug". They also produced Ol' Dirty Bastard's 1999 single "Got Your Money" featuring singer Kelis, for whom they would entirely produce her debut studio album, Kaleidoscope (1999), and her 2001 album Wanderland. 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. 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. In addition, The Neptunes produced Cuban Link's single "Still Telling Lies" from Cuban's 24K album. They also co-wrote the hook to "Play How You Want" featuring P!nk.

In 2001, N.E.R.D. released their debut studio album, In Search of..., featuring production from the Neptunes. 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.

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".

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.

In 2024, Hugo filed a legal action against Williams over the trademarks for the production duo's name. Williams subsequently confirmed the duo were no longer on speaking terms.

Discography

Main article: The Neptunes production discography

Compilation albums

Singles

Awards and nominations

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".

''Billboard'' R&B/Hip-Hop Awards

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

Grammy Awards

The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States.

References

References

1. Angel Diaz. (September 12, 2024). "Pharrell Says He & Former Neptunes Partner Chad Hugo Are No Longer on Speaking Terms". [[Billboard (magazine).
2. (January 16, 2020). "Mariah Carey, Neptunes Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame".
3. Nigel D.. (December 18, 2009). "Billboard's Top 10 Producers Of The Decade | RealTalkNY". Realtalkny.uproxx.com.
4. "Celine Dion, Donald Harrison, the Neptunes, Chita Rivera, and André Watts to Receive Honorary Doctorates at 2021 Commencement | Berklee".
5. (April 13, 2014). "Pharrell Williams on meeting his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo". CBS Sunday Morning.
6. (May 15, 2004). "Like the song? These guys wrote it".
7. "[http://www.yolk.com/v092/chadhugo1.html Chad Hugo: Rock Star] {{webarchive. link. (May 8, 2006 , an interview with ''[[Yolk magazine). Yolk Magazine]]'', 2002
8. (March 7, 2020). "'Kaleidoscope': How Kelis Rewrote The R&B Rulebook". Udiscovermusic.com.
9. (April 19, 2018). "On 'Exclusive Audio Footage,' The Long-Lost Clipse Album".
10. (March 25, 2002). "N.E.R.D.: In Search of... Album Review".
11. "The Neptunes produced Britney Spears 'Slave 4 U'".
12. (August 23, 2002). "Preview Of Justin Timberlake Album From Neptunes' Hugo". [[MTV]].
13. (February 9, 2004). "The Neptunes earn long-overdue Grammy". Today.
14. Donahue, Bill. (April 1, 2024). "Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo Locked In Legal Dispute Over ‘Neptunes’ Name Rights". [[Billboard (magazine).
15. (September 11, 2024). "Pharrell on Checking His Ego for the New Lego Doc About His Life".
16. "The Neptunes Present... Clones – The Neptunes".
17. "RIAA – Searchable Database: Neptunes". [[Recording Industry Association of America]].
18. "The Neptunes Chart History: Hot 100".
19. "The Neptunes Chart History: R&B/Hip-Hop Songs".
20. "The Neptunes Chart History: Rap Songs".
21. Minsker, Evan. (May 20, 2020). "deadmau5 and the Neptunes share new song 'Pomegranate': Listen".
22. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album".
23. "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums".
24. "Finalists & Winners".
25. "46th Grammy Awards – 2004". Rock on the Net.
26. "47th Grammy Awards – 2005". Rock on the Net.
27. "48th Grammy Awards – 2006". Rock on the Net.
28. "49th Grammy Awards – 2007". Rock on the Net.