instead of the Neptunes, were you consciously trying to downplay a celebrity producer image?
No, we’ve got no problem with celebrity. The Neptunes sound is dope to have — to have that signature thing people come for. But to snipe everybody in the ear without them knowing is a good thing, too. As producers, you have the power to work with anybody every which way. We try to switch the sounds with different people. We’d work with Faith Hill and get a bunch of country musicians. It’s our way of being the Wizard of Oz. We run shit from where you can’t see us, switching up the styles. Ultimately I’d like it to be where you could turn on any station — rock, R&B, country — and know that the Neptunes did a lot, but not know what the Neptunes did. N.E.R.D. will perform as part of the “Sprite Liquid Mix Tour” Friday, August 30, at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater. The bill also features 311, Hoobastank, Jay-Z, Nappy Roots and more. Call 704-549-5555 for further details.
