Interview: NERD (by PHARRELL WILLIAMS) Interview by: GuerillaOne Who makes up the group N.E.R.D? PHARRELL WILLIAMS, CHAD HUGO, SHELDON HALEY. Who were your early influences? STEVIE WONDER TO STEELY DAN. What are you listening to today? STEREOLAB. What kind of equipment did you use early on coming up? SNARE DRUMS, PIANO & SAXPHONE. Having already created a successful production camp with the name Neptunes, how does it feel to finally drop as an artist versus producer? LIKE GETTING HIGH FOR THE FIRST TIME. There are DJ's searching for Neptune produced tracks! They should be worth penny some day. You guys have produced platinum tracks for everybody! Was there ever a track that heads slept on? PERRY FARRELL'S- GLORY, AND REMIX TO COWBOY (KID ROCK) Did any of you DJ? Do you collect records? If so what record are you searching for that you'd like to add to the collection? CHAD DJ'S. WE BOTH COLLECT RECORDS. STEVIE & CURTIS MAYFIELD ALBUM OR DANNY HATHAWAY LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE. What was the first big-break? BEING BORN. I understand you're from the Virginia area, do you guys listen to any GO-GO ala Rare Essence, Chuck Brown and others? YES & JUNKYARD BAND, NORTHEAST GROOVES AND BACKYARD BAND, TOO. Virginia can't be slept on there was Teddy in the 80's Timberland in 90's and now Neptune's for 2000. How's your work relations with these other VA camps? WE ARE BOTH FRIENDS & ADMIRERS OF THOSE & OTHER CAMPS LIKE THE TEAMSTERS (NOTTS). The Album is titled "In Search of Nerd" and after listening to the album I think everything collates well together. Each song relates to some kids life out. What was the overall concept of the album? FREEDOM, MINUS THE PRESSURES OF EXPECTATIONS. JUST FUN & HONEST With the success of "LapDance" on MTV2, what is the next single or video to look for off the album? BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER. I like "PROVIDER" the most, I can relate to that song and I'm sure others will to, what is your favorite track on the album and why? STAY TOGETHER, (IT'S ABOUT THE YOUTH & HIP HOP) AND HOW WE NEED 2 STAY 2GETHER. What does the future hold for the Nerd? LORD WILLING, A BRIGHT ONE. What does the future hold for the Neptunes? DITTO. What does Nerd think about graffiti? Why? ITS NECESSARY. ITS AN EXPRESSIVE OUTLET FOR CREATIVITY'S FRUSTRATION. Any Last Words? (PEACE SIGN). THE WORLD IS OURS, JUST WATCH WHAT U DO WITH IT. For more on NERD check out NERD.COM.