How The Neptunes Changed Music History (Then Lost Everything)

In 2003, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were responsible for producing an estimated 43% of all songs played on American radio. From Jay-Z and Snoop Dogg to Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears, The Neptunes were the undisputed architects of modern pop and hip-hop. But behind their four-count intro and endless multi-platinum hits lay a decades-long power dynamic that slowly tore the duo apart. In this video, Rap Lore explores how four decades of middle-school friendship devolved into secret trademark filings, withheld royalties, and multi-million-dollar lawsuits.