In Search Of…
In Search Of… is 20 years old today, but it sounds like it could drop yesterday. The debut N.E.R.D. studio album: although Chad Hugo and Pharrell already worked together for few years and had such production credits as Jay-Z “I just wanna love you” and Kelis “Kaleidoscope” album, this was the first time when they went full force on their first album that became a total blueprint for the whole generation until this day: in music, lyrics and style.
If you play In Search Of… today, from start to finish it is really hard to believe that it’s written in 2001. Starting with Lapdance, an ultimate dirty talk song that can easily be played at any party today and everyone will scream lyrics from start to finish. Mixing guitars and female vocals with Pharrell’s iconic singing, the song uses comparison of politicians to strippers giving a lap dance for free due to the use of their excessive propaganda without even take action.
The album is named after the TV series In Search of..., hosted by Leonard Nimoy. Pharrell really made nerd and unique cool in the era when they wanted you to look the same. In the era when you had to wear FUBU and AF1’s to be cool, Pharrell pulled up on his BMX wearing NERD trucker, straight jeans, BBC t’s and pink polos. P was the original originator of the sound and looks, so powerful that he still influence young artists with his work he did 20 years ago.
In Search Of... served as a sonic and aesthetic touchstone for many artists who came to prominence after its release. Virgil Abloh said in his NYT interview that the album "described a whole generation of young black kids and artists who have since been determined to be themselves and jump through that door that was opened by Pharrell." - and he still references it in his shows and exhibitions.
Following the tracklist, “Things are getting better“ and “Run to the sun“ are my personal perfect feel-good jams for early mornings mood set. I still think “Brain” is one of the sexiest songs ever written - as a teen I thought it was about her being smart and that it turns him on THAT much. Provider is also in my top sexiest songs of all times - hearing “Will I find my sanity where I find my glory” became my personal statement for few years. This song, especially with the music video, could not possibly be more 2001. You’ve got Blink-182’s Travis Barker on drums, American Beauty-esque suburban surreality, and legendary pro skater Tony Hawk making a cameo in the visuals as a gas station clerk. Truth or dare is truly legendary and I wish the Kelis story wasn’t that questionable. “Rockstar” and “Stay Together” can also be in top 3, this album has no skips - til this day. “Tape You” might be my personal favorite just because once my crush sent me this song out of blue. No context, no words, just N.E.R.D. - Tape You in iMessages. Also personal, as a filmmaker. It should be officially forbidden to Pharrell to say words like “mama” or “sugar”.
Quoth the Neptunes: "In Search Of...seems like a bland title, but for us, it's In search of love. In search of happiness. In search of smiling. In search of that bitch with the big ass. In search of the answer to why my brother smokes crack. It's all of that; it's about being open." Pharrell was always there with a positive message - before it was cool to be mindful, have a clean lifestyle and do your skincare. Pharrell sang “I wish we could run to the sun“ the same year when Nelly and Luda was all over the charts with their What’s your “Fantasy” and “Country Grammar”. Together with Outkast dropping Stankonia the same year, N.E.R.D. started the big shift in hip-hop, mashing up the genres and creating their own new cool.
