The Neptunes

Pair of producers Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo who created the sound for some of hip-hop's hottest artists (Nelly's "Hot in Here", Jay-Z's "Nigga Please") and pop icons (Britney Spears's "I'm a Slave For You" and half of Justin Timberlake's solo debut.) The Neptune's sound is a highly distinctive brand of of off-kilter, stripped-down funk with a heavy electronic element. Their own album, N.E.R.D, hit gold.