An Ode to Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and the Sound That Changed Everything.
First things first: no Pharrell Williams slander will be tolerated! EVER! Sure, I’m biased. I’ve been a fan since I was 11—the day I got The Neptunes Present… Clones in 2003. I basically wore that CD out within a week (yes, that was a real thing you could do). I’d hop on the bus for school with my Walkman tucked in my hoodie, blasting those tracks on repeat. It was one of the first albums I owned that wasn’t just something I swiped from my parents or sister, and from that moment, I knew there was something special about the music Pharrell and Chad Hugo made together—though I wasn’t exactly sure who Chad was back then. I only really knew Pharrell’s name, face, and unmistakable voice on everything.
I was also a total poser—rocking skate and surf gear while never actually skating or surfing (turns out, you need to practice to get good). But it always felt important not to be a poser, and something about this music’s raw originality spoke to that.
Over time, I learned the songs, but it wasn’t until later in life that I went back and listened to In Search Of… by N.E.R.D. start to finish. And holy shit—this is the first album? These are the first songs?? The strength of this debut is unreal. It avoids that cliché of “one cool single and a bunch of filler.” Instead, every track feels purposeful, like a meeting of brilliant minds perfectly in sync.
Where did I first hear N.E.R.D.? Maybe it was at my cousin’s place, maybe flipping channels on MTV, or maybe some random video game soundtrack—like a Need for Speed or Tony Hawk title—where you catch a hook for five seconds and immediately start Googling lyrics. All I really remember is the track “Lapdance,” and how its name felt so risqué to 11-year-old me (who definitely didn’t know what it meant). But it was so cool.
The more I listened, the more I realized Pharrell and Chad (and, quietly, Shay Haley) were a collective force shaping everything. You love Snoop? That’s them. Britney? Them. Justin Timberlake, Kelis, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, even Tyler, The Creator in a roundabout way—The Neptunes’ and N.E.R.D.’s fingerprints are all over pop culture. So while my first love affair with them was through Clones, it’s time to give flowers to the album that truly started it all.
When you spin In Search Of…, you hear that raw, we-just-picked-up-these-instruments-but-we’re-gonna-go-for-it vibe. It’s the same scrappy magic you get on early Arctic Monkeys records—where the band might not be the most polished, but there’s so much feeling that it doesn’t matter. Chad Hugo was still getting comfortable with guitar at the time, and that actually made the riffs dirtier and more in-your-face. That distortion on “Lapdance,” the punchy lines on “Things Are Getting Better,” the way the guitar just rips through the mix—it’s the perfect gritty contrast to Pharrell’s smooth vocals and Shay’s high-energy presence.
This album might not have been an immediate, chart-topping behemoth, but in hindsight, it was a cultural shift—like an inflection point before the world realized the genius of these guys working together. If you’ve never let In Search Of… properly wash over you, do yourself a favor: pick a quiet evening or a long drive, crank the volume, and let Pharrell, Chad, and Shay welcome you into their universe.
Track-by-Track (and the Emotions They Stir)
“Lapdance”Right off the bat, the distorted guitar is so grimey, punchy, and irresistible. It’s got this rebellious vibe that signals, “Okay, no turning back now—you’re on the N.E.R.D. rollercoaster.” Pharrell’s voice is practically an extra instrument, weaving in and out of the riffs. It’s a jolt of adrenaline.
“Things Are Getting Better”The drums here absolutely blow my mind every time. They sort of forecast The Neptunes’ knack for funky, melodic percussion (hello, “Get Lucky” years later). It’s fun, upbeat, and the lyrics are sweet without making you roll your eyes. It feels hopeful and bright.
“Brain”That guitar again! By now, you realize N.E.R.D.’s sound fuses rock riffs with Pharrell’s unique melodies and Chad’s production style. Pharrell’s singing is especially smooth, and the songwriting stands out—somehow simplistic yet so catchy.
(Vinyl Bonus) “Run to the Sun” (Original Version)The vinyl track order puts this earlier than I’m used to. I’m not in love with its placement on Side A, but it’s still a cool gem to have on vinyl. I’m the kind of person who likes to experience albums in the intended sequence, so this threw me off at first. But hey, it’s nice to have a different version of a track I already love.
“Provider”Slows things down, almost in a cowboy-esque way, but it’s still distinctly N.E.R.D. Pharrell’s voice takes the lead. There’s a Spanish influence in that breakdown that always reminds me they’re unafraid of blending genres.
“Truth or Dare” (feat. Kelis & Pusha T)Kelis absolutely kills it here. You can hear Pharrell’s blueprint all over her vocals—he knows exactly how to utilize her dynamic range. And Pusha T (billed as Terrar here) starts showcasing that signature grit that would define Clipse. The guitars come back with that raw aggression from “Lapdance,” tying everything together.
“Tape You”It’s got this spacey, rock-disco-funk vibe that’s so futuristic. I picture neon lights, swirling disco balls, and Pharrell’s falsetto gliding across it all. This is the track I put on when I want to zone out and just feel the atmosphere.
“Run to the Sun” (Standard Track)This is one of those breezy, easygoing songs that make you think of sunshine and possibly a Pixar montage (in a good way!). It shows off Pharrell’s flair for mellow, feel-good jams.
“Baby Doll”If James Bond ever walked into a Tarantino saloon, this might be the soundtrack—spy-like guitars, a detective vibe, and Pharrell shifting from talking to full-blown singing. It’s a rollercoaster of moods in under four minutes.
“Am I High?”Classic rock textures mix with Pharrell’s floaty, dreamy vocals. There’s a flanger effect that gives it this psychedelic warp. It feels like you’re just drifting. Then suddenly you realize, oh wait, this is still N.E.R.D. because the drums stay locked in.
“Rock Star”Probably the second most famous track after “Lapdance.” It’s huge, rebellious, and just begs you to turn the volume up. The lyrics throw shade at posers, and it’s basically Skateboard P telling the world: “Do your own thing. Own it.” The megaphone vocal effect is such a chef’s kiss moment.
“Bobby James”Slower, more introspective—about a 17-year-old who’s just lost in life. It pulls at your heartstrings and showcases Pharrell’s empathetic storytelling side. The moody atmosphere is a big switch from “Rock Star,” but it totally works.
“Stay Together”Fun, cathartic drums and Pharrell’s emotional ad-libs. It’s like he’s trying to get something heavy off his chest—shouting, singing, emoting. I hear how Tyler, The Creator might have taken notes from these passionate little vocal moments. It’s the perfect closer for an album that’s spent 40+ minutes blowing genre lines to bits.
The Blueprint for Future Greatness
What’s really wild is to see how In Search Of… laid the groundwork for all those future Neptunes hits:
“Grindin’” by Clipse
“Drop It Like It’s Hot” by Snoop Dogg
“I’m a Slave 4 U” by Britney Spears
“Hot in Herre” by Nelly
“Rock Your Body” by Justin Timberlake
…and the list goes on and on. Pharrell and Chad’s imprint is everywhere in modern music, influencing Ariana Grande, Tyler, The Creator, Kendrick Lamar, Solange, and so many others. This album was the test run—the lab experiment that showed us how they could mesh crunchy guitar rock with hip-hop swagger and pop melodies without missing a beat.
Final Thoughts
If you want to hear the moment Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo took that fearless creative leap from producers to boundary-blurring artists, In Search Of… is it. On vinyl, the distortion hits harder, the drums have more punch, and Pharrell’s voice floats right in your ear. It’s warm, raw, sometimes a bit imperfect—and that’s exactly why I love it.
This album is personal to me because it’s where I really discovered the depth of Pharrell’s genius (and Chad’s, too!). People can point to The Neptunes’ production credits all day, but if you truly want to understand their range, passion, and willingness to experiment, In Search Of… has it all. And yes, I will defend Pharrell forever—don’t even try it!
So go ahead, drop the needle on “Lapdance” and let that classic guitar distortion remind you what it means to make music with pure heart, relentless creativity, and zero fear of crossing genre lines. That’s N.E.R.D. to me, and that’s why I’ll always stay in search of this vibe.
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