Mystikal was always on the cusp of breaking out while part of the No Limit army, but this is the track that launched him into the limelight. Trust me, young’ns, these bongos RULED the clubs in 2000. Mystikal featuring Pharrell, “Shake It Fast” (2000) Instead, the arrangements match Busta’s intensity and the party begins. The Neptunes bring a cocktail of sounds to the table, which could easily have resulted in a jumbled mess. Busta Rhymes featuring Puff Daddy and Pharrell, “Pass the Courvoisier Part II” (2002) Frenzied flamenco guitars really raise the tempo on this one, giving JT his first (of many) solo smash hits. Justin Timberlake featuring Clipse, “Like I Love You” (2002) The Neptune’s melancholy production worked seamlessly with Kelis despondent lyrics – it’s an emo kid’s dream track. Yeah, I know the brazen “Caught Out There” allowed Kelis to kick down the door but “Get Along With You” is what proved that she deserved a seat at stardom’s table. Heavy bass and untamed guitars brought hip-hop to the mosh pit and became the band’s signature hit. was ahead of its time, along with this rock-influenced instrumentals here. featuring Lee Harvey and Vita, “Lapdance” (2001) Synths, synths and more synths were all Nelly needed for his first No. Unless you were in a womb or a tomb in 2002, chances are you know this one well. Sparse keys, random bass, percussions scattered here and there – the gentle mix made for extremely easy listening, and became the springboard for P’s solo career. There’s not much to this track and that simplicity is part of its beauty.

Pharrell featuring Jay Z, “Frontin'” (2003) The Neptunes always seemed to pass along their strongest material to their Virginia brethren, and this haunting track is no exception. Yeah, expect a LOT of Clipse songs on this list. As they were prone to do at the time, The Neptunes went nuts with the synths, creating an off-kilter, addictive dance track. In one song, The Neptunes transformed Britney from girl next door to sweaty sex symbol.

It was just the beginning of a long, lucrative career. The soulful backdrop is the perfect setting for SWV’s love letter. This track is recognized as The Neptunes’ first shot at stardom and they didn’t waste the opportunity. The laid-back groove is perfect for the stepper set.

I know the “La-La-La” remix gets most of the praise but when it comes to production, it’s hard to beat the original. Jay Z featuring Pharrell, “Excuse Me Miss” (2002) I was happy to see him show it some love – those heavy synths are some of the best The Neptunes have cooked up. 702, “I Still Love You” (2003)Ī few years back, I stumbled upon an interview with Pharrell in which he proclaimed this track as one of the best he’s ever produced. The airy, light production, the gentle bass – and of course Pharrell’s crooning – all set the stage for the perfect summer jam. Snoop Dogg, featuring Pharrell and Charlie Wilson “Beautiful” (2002) This, of course, was far from Jay’s finale but still remains a staple of his catalog. It would have been the perfect way to say goodbye. On what was supposed to be Jay’s last album (eye roll), the Neptunes provided the perfect farewell track – a lush instrumental that sounded almost heavenly. But in the midst of that anarchy, The Neptunes created an infectious disco-themed record that would become the Dirt Dog’s biggest mainstream hit. ODB’s sophomore (and final) album N**** Please was 45 minutes of sheer chaos. ODB featuring Kelis, “Got Your Money” (1999) Honorable mentions: Fabolous, “Young’n” Mystikal, “Danger” Clipse, “Ride Around Shinin'” Justin Timberlake, “Rock Your Body” 25. From soothing R&B to synthy pop to rugged hip-hop, Chad and P could do it all. Let’s look back at 25 of their greatest scores. Their resume is a who’s who of music luminaries. The duo known as The Neptunes enjoyed a meteoric rise in the music industry, from quietly producing some of your favorite R&B tracks in the mid-90s to exploding at the turn of the millennium and reshaping the scope of production in the 21st century. And for the past 20 years, creativity has been the hallmark of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. Timbaland, Missy Elliott, D’Angelo – some of music’s most creative minds come from that fertile land. If you want innovators, simply visit my home state of Virginia.

The neptunes