On this day in 2006, Virginia Beach’s own Clipse released the sophomore LP Hell Hath No Fury. Coming a whole four years after their celebrated, chart-topping debut Lord Willin’, Hell Hath No Fury did everything but disappoint. Produced exclusively by fellow Virginia Beach natives, The Neptunes, this album builds on Clipse’s unique take on mafioso rap culture. The contrast of the album’s hardcore, to-the-point lyrics and Pharrell’s colorfully playful production work to create a new style of drug dealer music.
It’s common knowledge that the hurdles set up in the way of this album’s release were aplenty. Clipse’s early growth led to them being pulled in all directions and, in an interview with Bill Withers, they spoke on how the music industry itself can paralyze an artist, and how that halted their creativity. Nevertheless, the duo came back stronger than ever, delivering an album that set a precedent in east coast rap. During the early 2000s, Virginia was on the rise with artists like The Neptunes and Timberland dominating the production game and Missy Elliot and Ginuwine topping charts. With this album, Clipse was able to keep Virginia relevant as it moved past the halfway point of the decade.
Although the album was not as commercially successful as Lord Willin’, it did peak at #14 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop albums. The LP sold 78,000 in its first week and produced two singles, “Mr. Me Too” featuring Pharrell and “Wamp Wamp (What It Do)” that both had some success on the R&B/Hip Hop charts.
On this date in 2001, the self-proclaimed “King Of The South,” rapper/actor T.I., released his first album entitled I’m Serious.
Produced by several behind the board legends including ATL’s DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, The Neptunes, and few others, with features from Pharrell, Bone Crusher, Too Short, Pastor Troy, and many other South and West icons still did not garner him the commercial success that he would eventually be recognized for his music as well as in the cinema.
With this being T.I.’s lowest-selling album, Arista Records made the heartbreaking move to cut him from the label after selling less than 300K copies. This was the obvious silver lining in the cloud because T.I has not only went on to become one of the top-selling Hip-Hop artists to date but has also made his mark on the silver screen starring along with the likes of Denzel Washington, Ruby Dee, and many others.
Regardless of what the critics have to say, salute to T.I. for offering up this underground Hip-Hop classic!
On this day in 1973, the seemingly ageless producer, singer, rapper, author, designer, creative director, and label head Pharrell Williams was born 48 years ago. His music has touched the hearts and minds of literally billions of people, his humanitarian efforts have helped toward preserving the planet for the next generation to enjoy, and his actions to promote happiness and equality have helped move society in a positive direction.
Pharrell Lanscilo Williams was born in Virginia Beach, Virginia to Pharaoh and Carolyn Williams. He is the eldest of three sons. His love for music and art started at a young age. He met the other half of the legendary production duo The Neptunes, Chad Hugo, at band camp in the seventh grade. Pharrell at the time played the piano and the drums and Hugo played the tenor saxophone. In the early 90s, Pharrell and Hugo formed the group The Neptunes and signed with Teddy Riley of Interscope Records upon graduating high school.
Success began to come in 1993 when Pharrell met fellow Virginia rappers Clipse. The rap duo signed to Artista Records under Pharrell’s Star Trak Entertainment. In 1994 Pharrell and Chad Hugo officially established themselves at The Neptunes and produced part of Blackstreet’s self-titled album. By the 2000s the Neptunes had a name for themselves and in 2001 got their first international #1 hit with Britney Spears’ “I’m a Slave 4 U.”
That same year Pharrell, Hugo, and Shae Haley released their first album as the group N*E*R*D titled In Search of… in Europe, where the first Kelis album, produced by The Neptunes, had its best reception. After realizing that the album sounded much like their other work, the group decided to reproduce the album with Spymob. In 2002 the re-release of the album came with amazing reception and Pharrell was named Producer of the Year by Billboard and The Source.
In 2003 The Neptunes released their only album The Neptunes Present…Clones which was a compilation of songs and remixes by Pharrell and Hugo. The album featured Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, Jadakiss, ODB, Kelis, and Nas and debuted #1 on the Billboard 200. It also claimed the #1 spot on the UK R&B Albums chart and the Dutch MegaChart.
The next year N*E*R*D released their second album Fly or Die which was more popular than the first. It had a very positive international reception. That same year Pharrell received two Grammy awards, one for Producer of the Year and a second for Best Pop Vocal Album for his work on Justin Timberlake’s Justified album. He also put out the hit single “Drop It Like It’s Hot” that year with Snoop Dogg, which was Pharrell’s first #1 single in the US.
In 2006, Pharrell released his first solo album. In My Mind was released on July 25 and debuted at #3 on the Billboard 200 chart where it peaked. The album is full of hits with artists likeKanye West, Gwen Stefani, Nelly, Snoop Dogg, and more.
Over the next few years, Pharrell continued to produce hit songs as well as build his fashion empire with his brands Billionaire Boys Club and ICECREAM. His work with a designer and BAPE founder Nigo helped him to rise to prominence in the early 2000s as a streetwear designer. His popularity grew as a designer was almost simultaneous with his growth as an artist.
During the 2010’s Pharrell has continued to have a creative influence. His 2013 single “Happy” from his second album Girl has become the international anthem for happiness around the world and can be considered his most popular record. This decade he has also begun hisi am Other campaign which is a multimedia creative collective and record label that serves as the overarching brand over his many endeavors including: Billionaire Boys Club, ICECREAM, Bionic Yarn and the Youtube channel that launched as i Am Other’s founding platform. Most recently, Pharrell can be seen as a host of the popular TV show, The Voice. He has also just been named the creative director of the well established denim brand G-Star Raw.
Pharrell’s has become synonymous with Hip Hop and his brand is one that has inspired many in the generations under and above him. On behalf of everyone here at The Source we’d like to wish Pharrell Williams a happy born day, may he see many more years of success.
On this day in 2006, Virginia Beach’s own Clipse released the sophomore LP Hell Hath No Fury. Coming a whole four years after their celebrated, chart-topping debut Lord Willin’, Hell Hath No Fury did everything but disappoint. Produced exclusively by fellow Virginia Beach natives, The Neptunes, this album builds on Clipse’s unique take on mafioso rap culture. The contrast of the album’s hardcore, to-the-point lyrics and Pharrell’s colorfully playful production work to create a new style of drug dealer music.
It’s common knowledge that the hurdles set up in the way of this album’s release were aplenty. Clipse’s early growth led to them being pulled in all directions and, in an interview with Bill Withers, they spoke on how the music industry itself can paralyze an artist, and how that halted their creativity. Nevertheless, the duo came back stronger than ever, delivering an album that set a precedent in east coast rap. During the early 2000s, Virginia was on the rise with artists like The Neptunes and Timberland dominating the production game and Missy Elliot and Ginuwine topping charts. With this album, Clipse was able to keep Virginia relevant as it moved past the halfway point of the decade.
Although the album was not as commercially successful as Lord Willin’, it did peak at #14 on the Billboard 200 and #2 on the Top R&B/Hip Hop albums. The LP sold 78,000 in its first week and produced two singles, “Mr. Me Too” featuring Pharrell and “Wamp Wamp (What It Do)” that both had some success on the R&B/Hip Hop charts.
Two decades ago today, Terrence and Gene Thorton akaPusha T and Malice put out Lord Willin’, The Clipse’s debut album that helped them solidify their spots within honorable mention of some of the best lyricists in the game.
Produced exclusively by the Neptunes on Pharrell Williams’ Star Trak imprint, the album displayed The Clipse’s microphone prowess, which helps the squares navigate through their cocaine-flooded street slang. Along with artists like Timbaland and Magoo, Missy Elliot, and Pharrell, The Clipse was an intricate part of establishing VA as one of the East Coast’s strongholds in Hip Hop, which made room for artists like Chris Brown and Wale to add on to the legacy.
Some of the most memorable gems from the Twin Thorton’s first album include “Cot Damn” featuring their Re-Up Gang affiliates Ab-Liva and Philly’s Roscoe P. Coldchain, “When The Last Time” with their Star Trak team members Kelis and Pharrell, and the infamous “Grindin’” with remixes featuring Noreaga, and another infamous duo, Lil Wayne and Birdman.
Salute to Pusha, No Malice, Pharrell, and the rest of the Star Trak team for pushing out this timeless classic!
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
On this date in 2001, the self-proclaimed “King Of The South,” rapper/actor T.I., released his first album entitled I’m Serious.
Produced by several behind the board legends including ATL’s DJ Toomp, Jazze Pha, Lil Jon, The Neptunes, and few others, with features from Pharrell, Bone Crusher, Too Short, Pastor Troy, and many other South and West icons still did not garner him the commercial success that he would eventually be recognized for his music as well as in the cinema.
With this being T.I.’s lowest-selling album, Arista Records made the heartbreaking move to cut him from the label after selling less than 300K copies. This was the obvious silver lining in the cloud because T.I has not only went on to become one of the top-selling Hip-Hop artists to date but has also made his mark on the silver screen starring along with the likes of Denzel Washington, Ruby Dee, and many others.
Regardless of what the critics have to say, salute to T.I. for offering up this underground Hip-Hop classic!
Virginia production duo, The Neptunes are having one heck of a comeback in 2021. This mighty return has been punctuated by a shout out by Billboard Magazine listing them as one of the Greatest Producers of the 21st century. Pharrell + The Neptunes Have Been Named The Best Rap Producers of the 21st Century In […]
Brent Faiyaz & Drake will officially release their first collaboration tonight.
Since January fans have anticipated Drake’s upcoming 6th album, Certified Lover Boy. Back in March, he dropped Scary Hours 2. The 3-pack EP, that featured Lil Baby and Rick Ross, was a lite warm-up for what’s to come.
While his latest collaboration isn’t the album, Drake is still serving up stimulus verses to some of our favorite artists. After appearing on Migos’ Culture III, he adds another feature to the 2021 stack with an upcoming track with Brent Faiyaz.
Faiyaz has continued to stand out in today’s R&B landscape. The Grammy-nominated singer released his last project, Fuck the World last February, where he once again captured listeners with melodic prose of toxicity. Earlier in the year, he teamed up with DJ Dahi and TylerThe Creator for “Gravity.” Back in March, he dropped a new single, “Show U Off.”
On his latest track, he teams up with Billboard’s Artist of the Decade. Although the track leaked earlier today, it has only officially touched the streets and streaming platforms in New Zealand.
To open the track, Brent sings, “You can’t even sit in peace, cause all these ni*gas be on you.” He laces the hook by singing, “If you gonna waste your time, then waste your time with me.”
Drake delivers an expected stand-out verse saying, “Only time I play the back and forth is Aaliyah record, if I let you talk first then nobody is speaking second.”
Check out the latest Neptunes produced track by Brent Faiyaz and Drake below.
On this day in Hip-Hop history, Nas released his sixth studio album, God’s Son, in 2002. This may be Nas’ most emotional album coming at a rough time in his personal life. With the passing of his mother and his bout with fellow New York rapper Jay-Z at its height, Nas catered his lyricism to be more introspective in relation to his own trials and tribulations. Nas crowned himself “God’s Son” in tribute to his mother’s legacy and to point out a self-acclaimed likeness to Jesus Christ.
The production Nas collected for this project was astounding. Working with The Alchemist, Salaam Remi, Eminem, and even Alicia Keys helped to create a sound true to New York Hip-Hop with its own modern twist. Salaam Remi produced the bulk of the album and in a time when rap was something for the club and a Neptunes’ beat was a signature this soulfully classic sound was refreshing. The beats alone were critically acclaimed being mentioned in Vibe and Stylus Magazine and by countless critics.
Lyrically, Nas went in the opposite direction of what was popular at the time. As always, there was a true and necessary message behind everything that was said on the album, not to mention his flow and delivery were impeccable. The content was also deeply connected to what was going on in his own life. His references on songs like “Warrior” and “Last Real N***** Alive” were in reverence of his recent past mother. He even dedicated the track “Dance” to his mom. There were also a lot of Christian undertones throughout the album. Whether it be through titles of a song or metaphorically in bars spat, Nas’s religious views were intertwined with the majority of this album. Some of the other lyricists featured on the album were Alicia Keys and Nas’s ex-wife Kelis.
Commercially, this album was successful as well. It was certified platinum on January 14, 2003, and peaked at #18 on the US Billboard 200 chart. It also claimed the #1 spot on the Billboard Hip Hop/ R&B chart. The singles from this album, “Made You Look”, “I Can”, and “Get Down,” were also hits. Two of the Three released claimed spots on the Billboard Hot 100. “Made You Look” peaked at #32 and “I Can” peaked at #12. “I Can” has become a timeless song in Hip Hop over the years being an anthem of lifelong success for children in the black community.
