The Neptunes
{{short description|American record production duo}}
{{redirect|Neptunes|a class of extrasolar planet|Hot Neptune|another class|Mini-Neptune|other uses|Neptune (disambiguation)}}
{{For|the fictional band of the same name|Jabberjaw}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2022}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = The Neptunes
| image = Imgonline-com-ua-twotoone-WAZmxC1Szm.jpg
| landscape = yes
| caption = The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo)
| alias =
| origin = Virginia Beach, Virginia, U.S.
| genre = {{hlist|Hip-hop|R&B|pop}}
| years_active = 1992–2024{{cite web|author=Angel Diaz|url=https://www.billboard.com/music/rb-hip-hop/pharrell-chad-hugo-the-neptunes-not-speaking-1235774277/|title=Pharrell Says He & Former Neptunes Partner Chad Hugo Are No Longer on Speaking Terms|publisher=Billboard|date=September 12, 2024|accessdate=September 14, 2024}}
| label = {{hlist|Interscope|Star Trak|Columbia|I Am Other}}
| spinoffs = N.E.R.D.
| website = {{URL|https://theneptunes.org/}}
| past_members = * Pharrell Williams
}}
The Neptunes were an American record production duo composed of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, formed in Virginia Beach, Virginia, in 1992. Williams often provided backing vocals and music video appearances on the duo's productions, while Hugo remained behind the scenes.
Since their inception, the Neptunes have produced songs for several music industry artists, including Clipse, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Kelis, N.O.R.E., Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake, Nelly, Ludacris, T.I., Robin Thicke, Usher, Gwen Stefani, and Snoop Dogg, among others.{{cite web |title=Mariah Carey, Neptunes Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/mariah-carey-neptunes-inducted-songwriters-hall-fame-1270360 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=June 14, 2020 |date=January 16, 2020}} In 2009, Billboard ranked the Neptunes number one on their list of the top 10 producers of the decade.{{cite web|author=Nigel D. |url=http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/12/topic/topic/news/billboards-top-10-producers-of-the-decade/ |title=Billboard's Top 10 Producers Of The Decade | RealTalkNY |publisher=Realtalkny.uproxx.com |date=December 18, 2009 |access-date=October 31, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111004171119/http://realtalkny.uproxx.com/2009/12/topic/topic/news/billboards-top-10-producers-of-the-decade/ |archive-date=October 4, 2011}} In January 2020, the Neptunes were announced to be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame as a part of the 2020 class, and in May 2021, Hugo and Williams received Honorary Doctorates from Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory at Berklee.{{Cite web|url=https://www.berklee.edu/berklee-now/news/celine-dion-donald-harrison-the-neptunes-chita-rivera-and-andre-watts-to-receive-honorary-doctorates|title=Celine Dion, Donald Harrison, the Neptunes, Chita Rivera, and André Watts to Receive Honorary Doctorates at 2021 Commencement | Berklee}}
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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=72pQQl7dSE4| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211113/72pQQl7dSE4| archive-date=November 13, 2021 | url-status=live|title=Pharrell Williams on meeting his Neptunes partner Chad Hugo|work=CBS Sunday Morning|date=April 13, 2014 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web |title=Like the song? These guys wrote it |url=https://www.theage.com.au/entertainment/music/like-the-song-these-guys-wrote-it-20040515-gdxu7b.html |website=The Age |access-date=June 13, 2020 |date=May 15, 2004}} 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."[http://www.yolk.com/v092/chadhugo1.html Chad Hugo: Rock Star] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060508073207/http://www.yolk.com/v092/chadhugo1.html |date=May 8, 2006 }}, an interview with Yolk Magazine, 2002 Through working with Riley, the Neptunes 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.{{cite web |last1=Bierut |first1=Patrick |title='Kaleidoscope': How Kelis Rewrote The R&B Rulebook |url=https://www.udiscovermusic.com/stories/kelis-kaleidoscope-album/ |publisher=Udiscovermusic.com |access-date=June 14, 2020 |date=March 7, 2020}} 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.{{cite web |title=On 'Exclusive Audio Footage,' The Long-Lost Clipse Album |url=https://magazine.vinylmeplease.com/magazine/exclusive-audio-footage/ |website=Vinyl Me, Please |access-date=June 14, 2020 |date=April 19, 2018}} 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.{{cite web |last1=Bernstein |first1=Michael |title=N.E.R.D.: In Search of... Album Review |url=https://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/5748-in-search-of/ |website=Pitchfork |access-date=June 15, 2020 |date=March 25, 2002}} 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.{{cite web |title=The Neptunes produced Britney Spears 'Slave 4 U' |url=https://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/pharrell-williams/lists/facts/britney-spears/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140112042407/http://www.capitalxtra.com/artists/pharrell-williams/lists/facts/britney-spears/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 12, 2014 |website=Capital Xtra |access-date=June 14, 2020}}
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".{{cite web |last1=Kaufman |first1=Gil |title=Preview Of Justin Timberlake Album From Neptunes' Hugo |url=http://www.mtv.com/news/1457175/preview-of-justin-timberlake-album-fromneptunes-hugo/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512194704/http://www.mtv.com/news/1457175/preview-of-justin-timberlake-album-fromneptunes-hugo/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=May 12, 2014 |publisher=MTV |access-date=June 14, 2020 |date=August 23, 2002}}
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.{{cite web |title=The Neptunes earn long-overdue Grammy |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/neptunes-earn-long-overdue-grammy-wbna4217864 |work=Today |access-date=June 14, 2020 |date=February 9, 2004}}
In 2024, Hugo filed a legal action against Williams over the trademarks for the production duo's name.{{cite web |title=Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo Locked In Legal Dispute Over ‘Neptunes’ Name Rights |last=Donahue |first=Bill |url=https://www.billboard.com/business/legal/pharrell-williams-chad-hugo-legal-dispute-neptunes-name-rights-1235645985 |publisher=Billboard |access-date=June 26, 2024 | date=April 1, 2024}} Williams subsequently confirmed the duo were no longer on speaking terms.{{cite web |last1=Fekadu |first1=Mesfin |title=Pharrell on Checking His Ego for the New Lego Doc About His Life |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/pharrell-williams-interview-lego-documentary-piece-by-piece-collaborations-1235996237/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=September 25, 2024 |date=September 11, 2024}}
Discography
{{main|The Neptunes production discography}}
{{see also|N.E.R.D. discography}}
= Compilation albums =
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;"
|+ List of albums, with selected chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:12em;"| Title ! scope="col" rowspan="2" style="width:16em;"| Album details ! scope="col" colspan="3"| Peak chart positions ! scope="col" rowspan="2"| Certifications |
| scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| US {{cite magazine|url={{BillboardURLbyName|artist=the neptunes|chart=all}} |title=The Neptunes Present... Clones – The Neptunes |magazine=Billboard |access-date=October 30, 2011}} ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| US ! scope="col" style="width:4em;font-size:90%;"| CAN |
|---|
| scope="row" | Clones
| | 1 | 1 | 7 | |
= Singles =
Awards and nominations
{{Infobox Musician Awards
| name = The Neptunes
| wins = 6
| nominations = 18
| GrammyW = 4
| GrammyN = 12
| award1 = Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Awards
| award1W = 2
| award1N = 6
}}
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.{{cite magazine|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2003/awards_finalists2002.jsp|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Album|magazine=Billboard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20030622235020/http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2003/awards_finalists2002.jsp|archive-date=June 22, 2003}}{{cite magazine|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2003/awards_finalists.jsp|title=Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums|magazine=Billboard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20031002052713/http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2003/awards_finalists.jsp|archive-date=October 2, 2003}}{{cite magazine|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2004/finalists.jsp|title=Finalists & Winners|magazine=Billboard|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040603230021/http://www.billboardevents.com/billboardevents/rb/2004/finalists.jsp|archive-date=June 3, 2004}}
{{Awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2002 ||rowspan="2"| The Neptunes || Songwriter of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| Producer of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| 2003 ||rowspan="2"| The Neptunes || Songwriter of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| Producer of the Year || {{won}}
|-
| 2004 || The Neptunes || Producer of the Year || {{nom}}
|-
| 2009 || The Neptunes || Producer of the Decade|| {{Won}}
{{end}}
= Grammy Awards =
The Grammy Awards are awarded annually by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States.{{cite web|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2004/grammys.htm|title= 46th Grammy Awards – 2004 |publisher=Rock on the Net }}{{cite web|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2005/grammys.htm|title= 47th Grammy Awards – 2005 |publisher=Rock on the Net }}{{cite web|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2006/grammys.htm|title=48th Grammy Awards – 2006 |publisher=Rock on the Net }}{{cite web|access-date=September 15, 2008|url=http://www.rockonthenet.com/archive/2007/grammys.htm|title=49th Grammy Awards – 2007 |publisher=Rock on the Net }}
{{Awards table}}
|-
|rowspan="6"| {{grammy|2004}} || The Neptunes || Producer of the Year, Non-Classical || {{won}}
|-
| Justified || Best Pop Vocal Album || {{won}}
|-
| "Frontin'" || Best Rap/Sung Collaboration || {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| "Beautiful" || Best Rap/Sung Collaboration || {{nom}}
|-
| Best Rap Song || {{nom}}
|-
| "Excuse Me Miss" || Best Rap Song || {{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|2005}} ||rowspan="2"| "Drop It Like It's Hot" || Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group || {{nom}}
|-
| Best Rap Song || {{nom}}
|-
| {{grammy|2006}} || The Neptunes || Producer of the Year, Non-Classical || {{nom}}
|-
| 2006 || The Emancipation of Mimi || Best Contemporary R&B Album || {{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"| {{grammy|2007}} || "Money Maker" || Best Rap Song || {{won}}
|-
| In My Mind || Best Rap Album || {{nom}}
{{end}}
See also
References
{{reflist}}
{{The Neptunes}}
{{N.E.R.D}}
{{Pharrell Williams}}
{{Grammy Award for Producer of the Year, Non-Classical}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Neptunes, The}}
Category:Record production duos
Category:American songwriting teams
Category:Record producers from Virginia
Category:Songwriters from Virginia
Category:American contemporary R&B musical groups
Category:American hip-hop duos
Category:American pop music duos
Category:Musical groups established in 1992
Category:Musical groups disestablished in 2024