N*E*R*D is the brainchild of cutting edge r'n'b producers, the Neptunes. The Neptunes' Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were first discovered by legendary New Jack Swing producer Teddy Riley at their high school talent show in Virginia and are fast becoming legends in their own right.
"What is a N.E.R.D? N.E.R.D stands for No One Ever Really Dies. The Neptunes are who we are and N.E.R.D is what we do. It's our life. N.E.R.D is just a basic belief, man. People's energies are made of their souls. When you die, that energy may disperse but it isn't destroyed. Energy cannot be destroyed. It can manifest in a different way but even then it's like their souls are going somewhere. If it's going to heaven or hell or even if it's going into a fog or somewhere in the atmosphere to lurk unbeknownst to itself, it's going somewhere." – Pharrell Williams
With their digital musical palette and vivid imaginations, they've taken their hip-hop foundation and un-tethered the bounds of pop, bestowing unsuspecting hit records in almost machine-gun-like succession – whether in rap (Jay-Z, Busta Rhymes, et al), R&B (Usher, Babyface), pop (Britney Spears, Justin Timberlake) or rock (No Doubt).
FLY OR DIE is the second album from N.E.R.D, picking up where the groups debut, IN SEARCH OF…, left off. "It's evolution, for real," says Shay. "There's an entire dimension to music and life that we touched on with IN SEARCH OF…, but that was only the beginning. Those were only doors to this other dimension and with this album we are there."
From a musical perspective, FLY OR DIE, picks up on the free-wheeling sensibility of its predecessor. The most underappreciated aspect of The Neptunes' Midas touch is the melody and carefully crafted songwriting inherent in their barrage of hits – the complexity is in the simplicity. The songs of FLY OR DIE represent the spectrum of influence impressed upon the trio, from classic rock and Beatles-esque pop to old funk and new wave. It's the space where musical styles are truly influences – not reflexive actions.
Protection - we do a lot of it these days. Sun cream for our skin, sunglasses for our eyes, condoms for you know where - but do you remember to protect your hearing?
Click to find all the information you need to look after your hearing now so you can enjoy music for years to come
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Pharrell Williams - New album ...
