Tag Archives: Neptunes

Jun 11 2025
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Bri Bandz – Closer

Independent artist Bri Bandz has been making waves online with her blend of honest and feel good music, the Phoenix, Arizona beauty with a big personality has crafted a fanbase with her spirited efforts, turning Nick Cannon’s Love Don’t Cost A Thing dance into an iconic move, with a recent run of records, further cementing herself as one to watch.

Gaining traction late last year with Bandzway,

flowing cool over a neptunes-esque production, providing a modern take on a classic sound, with it’s simplicity, she’s able to display presence and charisma over the uptempo beat, a far contrast from the soulful Rises The Moon,

showcasing a sultry tone and underrated songwriting ability, highlighting her versatility as an artist. Bri kicked 2025 off with the hit Bengis,

sampling Babyface & Pharrell’s under-appreciated Stressed Out, creating another fun effort with her playful flow that rightfully gained traction, before releasing My Bad,

slower tempo but similar vibe, My Bad proved it wasn’t just the wavy beats but rather her own flair that makes her stand out. The best part is you’re getting to see an artist develop in real time, so the rawness only amplifies her charm and ability, evident with her next release, New Day.

You can already see the improvements in each track, ambitious and determined, it’s actually a spiritual effort, intertwining thoughts of fears, chance and faith. In an era where there’s so many acts making frivolous music, it’s refreshing to see someone starting out deliver substance. Able to attempt a variety of styles, she blessed her supporters with a cute freestyle,

followed up by her latest release, Closer.

Sampling the legendary Whitney Houston’s It’s Not Right But It’s Okay, she glides over the upbeat banger with a mix of styles, harmonising the chorus, with her soft tone complimenting the skippy production, naturally transitioning into a pacey flow with some finesse. Closer is a more composed effort and brings her closer to putting together an official project. Still developing her artistry, the former hooper finds herself in a great space and on course for success, heading in the right direction, doing it the Bandz way.

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Dec 04 2009
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Music

Clipse – Back By Popular Demand (Popeye’s) ft. Cam’ron (Official Video)

CLIPSE2

The much hyped collaboration finally leaks, since some information regarding tracklisting for their upcoming album ‘Til The Casket Drops’ had surfaced on the internet, there was a lot of interest in this one (even though there was a Kanye West collabo too), after Kinda Like A Big Deal ft. Kanye West was released, Popeye’s was all that people could talk about.

Dipset general Cam’ron had turned down the chance to work with the Clipse before, when invited to feature on the remix for their anthem ‘Grindin’, however now seems to be the time, many may expect a lot more, but I think the real Hip-Hop (or general Clipse/Cam’ron) fan will appreciate this for it’s classic rap feel.

[Youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A_vrzuh0xKU&feature=related]

Produced by The Neptunes and featuring a hook from Pharrell Williams, this track was created especially for this concept, The Neptunes have always known how to bring the best out of the Clipse, even though they are capable to shine just as well on a Justice League, Timbaland or Kanye West beat (I beleive Pusha T is one of the few emcees that could hold his own on a Dr Dre beat), there is a present chemistry between the two and this is obviously evident with this. So, once again the Clipse have not dissapointed, ‘fly-talk’, slick word-play, they possess it all and bring it to the table with this, an extra-dimension is offered with the feature provided by Cam’ron, “I’m Pharrell (for real) with the Clipse (clips)”, is one of the lines as he provides a classic Killa Cam flow, his presence is felt on the track and helps round this record up with the appeal of a classic song.

The video is a more realistic feeling video, rather than the generic extravagant videos that we are used to seeing, I like the styles that both the Clipse and Cam’ron bring to it, the video manages to parallel the beat in terms of its appeal, a laid back, friendly atmosphere, a video that people could actually relate to.

The Clipse’s third album ‘Til The Casket Drops’ is tipped to be another classic, with features from Keri Hilson, Kanye West & more, expect more anthems from Clipse and the whole Re-Up gang.

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Aug 08 2009
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Music

Clipse – I’m Good ft. Pharrell Williams

The clipse return with the newrelease from their forthcoming album ‘Till The Casket Drops’.

Clipse - I'm Good

Clipse – I’m Good ft. Pharrell Williams:

I’m Good is pretty much a laid-back, feel-good track, a summer chillout tune. Typical production courtesy of the Neptunes, which is not a bad thing because it will compliment the rest of the productions by the neptunes on the album which also features production from the likes of Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League and DJ Khalil (He produced Kinda Like A Big Deal ft. Kanye West).

I think this will be a success (in the USA at least) for the simple feel good factor that it possesses, it has a element of fun to it, I can see many people catching onto the vibe and I’m sure even Pharrell and the Clipse (at the time of recording) visioned people cruising in their cars playing this. You have to give the Neptunes credit for creating a song that captures the feeling of a true summer. I think it’s impact is subdued to the fact that the video for Kinda Like A Big Deal was put out first, that was more of a strong statement so people took notice.

I’m Good is like the title..Good, definitely one to add to your summer soundtrack.

Fáris Rating:
6.5/10

Now to wake you up,

Clipse X Kanye West X Kaws - Kinda Like A Big Deal

Clipse – Kinda Like A Big Deal ft. Kanye West:

The DJ Khalil produced anthem really gave the Clipse a good entry back into the game, with the heavy feature from the self proclaimed new ‘King of Pop’..Kanye West. Pusha T & Malice really stand out lyrically, which is what they are ultimately known for, so to be on level with Mr West can only help the Virgina duo reach more success. I’m Good was good, Kinda Like A Big Deal is to be honest kind of like a big deal, the real record i want to hear is ‘Popeye’ featuring Cam’Ron, that is said to be the one, so good that it is being kept securely.

Fáris Rating:
7.5/10

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Aug 06 2009
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Music

G – FrSH – URGH (Official Video)

This is pretty much the UK equivalent to Clipse – Grindin’ in terms of the beat and concept, The way Clipse fit to a Neptunes beat (With Pharrell knowing how to bring the best out of them), likewise Thy Maryan creates the perfect platform for G-FrSH to preach from.

‘URGH’ can only be described with words like ‘dope’, ‘gully’, ‘grimey’, ‘heavy’ and so on. It is a crazy piece of production from who else but Thy Maryan (Wretch 32 – Superhero), This beat is so good that its difficult to describe it, the feeling and vibe it gives off, it’s a ‘dark’ beat, but possesses moments of light which constrast well, the beat tells a story itself with G-FrSH adding more colour and flair to the composition.

At the moment G-FrSH (who has always been a favourite of mine) is my artist of the moment, the lyrics, style and flow combined produce smart and entertaining rhymes, “When They See Me They Applaud Me, Cos’ I’m About My Paper Like Trees..So Real N****s Root For Me“.

As for the video, I had seen a couple images which i assumed where from a photoshoot, but the video is honestly amazing, I really respect FrSH entertainment for the quality they produce, this video represents the beat so well, the cut out affects, the way G-Frsh is walking down is actually showing him walking to the video shoot, as in he really lives what you see, the visual effects compliment the video, it is artistic without going over the top, it is a really well done video.

G-FrSH is not just your regular rapper, he is a business man, a mastermind behind the successful FrSH enterprise, with his own company and clothing line, a talented artist and above all an inspiration for many.

Fáris Rating:
9/10

“URGH”

Click logo to visit official site

Click logo to visit official site

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Jul 27 2009
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Music

OneFáris Throwback Track!!

Today’s throwback track is a personal favourite, you know those songs that you just know word for word? this is one of them for me!

Babyface – There She Goes featuring Pharrell Williams

Featuring a pre-N*E*R*D Pharrell Williams, There She Goes is taken from the Babyface’s album Face2Face (Released 2001), this track represented the album as it was a more experimental effort from the soul singer, The Neptunes contributed with another track ‘Stressed Out‘ providing the album with it’s overall direction.

It is a rare sound from Babyface which is why it had such an impact, however, some embraced and others were not sure what to say, it was so unexpected, Pharrell at the time was not the Superstar he is today and so it was a brave move, but in the name of music they pulled it off well. Compiled of multiple synths layered onto the signature Neptunes’ beat, the beat really holds the tempo as the assorted sounds help add some variation and really brings the track out. Babyface who had not approached such a track before, really croons over the edgy synth with ease, his voice helps balance Pharrell’s raw falsetto which as a whole helps give the track plenty depth.

There She Goes still sounds as good as it did 8 years ago, as Pharrell (and Chad Hugo) continued to re-define the sound of hip-hop, Babyface reached out to them, the link up with such a highly regarded Grammy winning artist allowed The Neptunes to dominate R&B with their breakthrough sound.

Fáris Rating:
9/10

Babyface - Face2Face album cover artwork

Babyface - Face2Face album cover artwork

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Jul 16 2009
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Music

G-FrSH – URGH

This is pretty much the UK equivalent to Clipse – Grindin’ in terms of the beat and concept, The way Clipse fit to a Neptunes beat (With Pharrell knowing how to bring the best out of them), likewise Thy Maryan creates the perfect platform for G-FrSH to preach from.

‘URGH’ can only be described with words like ‘dope’, ‘gully’, ‘grimey’, ‘heavy’ and so on. It is a crazy piece of production from who else but Thy Maryan (Wretch 32 – Superhero), This beat is so good that its difficult to describe it, the feeling and vibe it gives off, it’s a ‘dark’ beat, but possesses moments of light which constrast well, the beat tells a story itself with G-FrSH adding more colour and flair to the composition.

At the moment G-FrSH (who has always been a favourite of mine) is my artist of the moment, the lyrics, style and flow combined produce smart and entertaining rhymes, “When They See Me They Applaud Me, Cos’ I’m About My Paper Like Trees..So Real N****s Root For Me“.

G-FrSH is not just your regular rapper, he is a business man, a mastermind behind the successful FrSH enterprise, with his own company and clothing line, a talented artist and above all an inspiration for many.

Fáris Rating:
8/10 (almost a 9, the beat is THAT good)

“URGH”

Click logo to visit official site

Click logo to visit official site

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Apr 07 2009
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Music

Pitbull – Blanco ft. Pharrell

Pharell Williams is obviously associated with big beats and hit records, however, along with Chad Hugo, The Neptunes have always had a special relationship with Miami rapper Pitbull, proof of this special collaboration comes along as they team up once again this time for the Fast & Furious 4 soundtrack with the song Blanco.

The track is a lively party song, it has a fast flowing feel-good factor to it, Pharrell providing the hook, Blanco looks set to bubble up nicely to surface in many clubs and house parties alike.

Blanco has been given a boost with the ‘fly on the wall’ style video, an almost ‘life in the day of’ concept, as we follow Pitbull through a crazy night, filled with hot woman and plenty of drinks. Fitting the high lifestyle shown in scenes during the new Fast & Furious movie, this song compliments those moments in the movie extremely well, almost perfectly.

The video has a mix of excitement and humour to it, which only emphasises the feeling that the song puts across, Blanco will most likely be on many people’s summer playlists.

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