Being a versatile and multi-talented musician as he is, Chad Hugo deserves a places in the drummerslist on this website.



With Pharell Williams he formed The Neptunes and became incredible succesfull with writing hits for many famous contemporary artists in the scene, producing albums and participating in many world wide big selling projects.



The Harvard business school wrote a piece about this duo:



The Neptunes reign as today's most successful hip-hop production team. Over the last six years, they have helped propel the talents of a number of artists, their punctuating beats and syncopated rhythms fueling a unique sonic aesthetic. They have worked with current chart toppers (Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears, Alicia Keys, Jennifer Lopez), hard-core hip-hoppers (Noreaga, Jay-Z, Nelly) and eclectic performers (soulstress Kelis, Nelly Furtado, Counting Crows). Add to that work with longtime superstars (Janet Jackson, Mary J Blige, Babyface, Whitney Houston, Usher) and alternative ska icons (No Doubt, Sean Paul), and their artist roster spans nearly every genre of music today.



The Neptunes consist of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, friends since attending the same high school in Virginia Beach, VA., where Pharrell played drums and Chad played drums and the saxophone in their respective school bands. After meeting in music class, the duo began working together, mixing beats and playing in various live bands. Their first break came in 1994, when they were discovered by New Jack Swing producer Teddy Riley, who had opened his Future Recording Studios and Lil Man Records in a building adjacent to their school. Riley recognized their talent and enlisted Williams and Hugo to assist in producing Blackstreets 1994 debut album. Following their inauguration with Riley, the pair began producing on their own, working on albums for SWV and Total. Their next big project, a track on Ma$es highly successful 1997 Harlem World album, opened the door to producing rap artists. For the ensuing two years, Williams and Hugo focused efforts on the production of rap notables such as Jay-Z and MC Lyte.



However, true to their philosophy on music and on life, The Neptunes production work continued to break down musics traditional borders and challenge listeners with out-of-the-box, irreverent beats. This approach was widely embraced by listeners everywhere on Got Your Money, an Ol Dirty Bastard anthem featuring Kelis, an artist on The Neptunes own label, Star Trak Entertainment. Got Your Money threw The Neptunes in the limelight, and a slew of high-profile artists lined up to enlist the power duos writing and production prowess. The results turned up huge crossover hits, notably Mystikals Shake Ya Ass, and Jay-Zs I Just Wanna Luv U (Give it 2 Me), both platinum singles. More megahits followed, including *NSYNCs Girlfriend, Britney Spears Im a Slave 4 U and Nellys Hot in Herre, among others.



In January of 2002, The Neptunes and manager Rob Walker signed an agreement to bring their label, Star Trak Entertainment, to Arista Records and unite with legendary record mogul Antonio L.A. Reid. Williams and Hugos arrangement calls for them to produce artists signed to both Star Trak and Arista, as well as sign and develop talent for the new label, which The Neptunes and Rob Walker co-head. Artists currently signed to the label include SpyMob, Kelis and Clipse, who have already scored an impressive top 10 debut with their album Lord Willin.



As the band N*E*R*D, Williams and Hugo, joined by another friend from high school rapper Shae Haley have proven their multiple talents as both producers and performers. Their debut album In Search Of, was critically acclaimed for transcending borders, seamlessly merging modern beats with classic sounds inspired by the music of the 1970s.



Two tours followed the albums release in March of 2002 a nationwide tour with the band SpyMob, and participation in the Sprite Liquid Mix Tour, alongside headliners Jay-Z and 311. The N*E*R*D project showcases The Neptunes signature style in a way uniquely their own, and was well-received by fans, with In Search Of... recently certified Gold by the RIAA. In addition to favorable reviews and a growing fan base, In Search Of... was recently awarded the prestigious 2002 Shortlist Prize for Artistic Achievement in Music, founded to recognize the most creative albums of the year across all musical genres.



The Neptunes production work didn't stop or even slow with the N*E*R*D project. Williams and Hugo continue to write and produce, and in the last few years, their efforts have been recognized with prestigious awards and increasing critical praise. In August of 2002, The Neptunes were named Producers of the Year at both The Source Awards and the Billboard Awards. Their songwriting talents have been lauded as well, with Williams being voted BMI Songwriter of the Year for both 2001 and 2002, and Hugo named ASCAP R&B Songwriter of the Year for 2001.



The omnipresent Neptunes remain a powerhouse in production for the most popular artists today. Their latest undertaking is Justin Timberlakes highly anticipated new album, Justified, on which they produced eight tracks. Upcoming projects include collaborations with artists ranging from Enrique Iglesias and Sugar Ray to DMX and Limp Bizkit to Blur and Aretha Franklin, and even a venture into country music, a step that may seem big for anyone else, but is not really a step at all for The Neptunes, who effortlessly rise above to create music that belongs in a genre all its own.



Chad Hugo has produced tracks for Mystikal, Jay-Z, NSYNC, Britney Spears, Nelly and more.