On a hot local L.A.radio station, super producer Pharrell of the Neptunes revealed that his hit single "frontin" was written especially for Prince. Pharrell made several attempts to contact Prince but the phone calls were never returned. The song sat on the shelf until he was urged by other artists to release it as a solo effort.

Personally, I think the tune is "HOT", its a shame Prince never returned the call. Obviously for a young artist like Pharrell to reach out to a "legend" shows the highest respect and admiration. Pharrell also stated that Prince is at the top of the list of artist he'd like to work with.

it has a bit of the 2001 "high"esque sound about it.

i like the track too,its cute.

RupacShakur said:

Unfortunately the only way he would ever get to work with Prince would be if he sent Prince a tape and Prince sent it back covered in overdubs. Sadly studio collaborations are a thing of the past for him.

This would have been really interesting. Frontin' does have some Princely, yet fresh, undertones.

didn't the Neptunes remix "The Greatest Romance Ever Sold"? I liked that remix a lot.

Robert3rd said:

adam&eve remix shits all over the neptunes mix.

but itisnt that bad

pandemoniun6 said:

what about the collab with Common?
that wasnt so long ago (perhaps done 12months ago?)

this song sounds A LOT like "goodlove" (the way that the vocals are overdubbed)

Joshy said:

You could be right actually.
But I certainly don't think he would ever let Pharrell produce him, would he?

That track reminds me of Curtis Mayfield, too.

Incidentally, the Common album was awesome - and he was brilliant when I saw him at Bristol.

That song is terrible, and that nigga can't sing for shit.

Pharrell needs to stay away from Prince. There's nothing Prince could add to his music to make it better. Those days are long gone.

This doesn't surprise me at all, this song wicked reminded me of Prince. It gave me the same feeling that many other Prince songs do. pharrell me

I'm a huge NEps fan, but it's time he paid Curtis Mayfield's estate for all the rips. "I'm a hustler baby," could be put right over the tp of "Frontin'"

It's still better than half the stuff on the radio, but sometimes I wish they would push the envelope even more.

doeineffect said:

I can only imagine, what with the silly ignorant title and all.

Who really wants Prince to sing a song called "Frontin"...really?

The Neptunes did the remix to TGRES with Q-tip, so they have worked with prince with great results. The day when prince allows others to produce him will come only if he signs with another major label. After all who would have ever thought we would hear prince do so many covers as he has as of late. Keep hope alive!

FunkATron said:

You are right on the money there! It definitely has that Curtis Mayfield vibe they way he sings in a somewhat broken falsetto. I do like the song.

RupacShakur said:

The pizza delivery guy could call Prince and would that show him the highest respect and admiration.

No, just go learn how to really play a piano, then do your won thing instead of following a hip hop sound in this case...then say that all the music you make is influenced or inspired by Prince, then that would be the highest respect and admiration.

Not a phone call. Go on Prince with working with real musicians.

RupacShakur said:

The last thing Prince needs is to hook up with the Neptunes -- who should be called "the one trick ponies" if truth in labeling is applied.

Joshy said:

it sounds like kiss

I knew it! When you listen to this song, you can tell that it has a Prince feel to it.Vibe magazine even said that it's the type of song Prince would do "if he had an editor and a sense of humor".It's a great song and you hear it in the clubs all the time.

Not to be so negative, but the song SUCK hairy nuts.

So does that N.E.R.D.S. Cd

Pharell should just stick to making Phat ass tracks and stay the hell of the mic.

What?

i love the neptunes.IMHO it would be great to see prince doing something with these guys in the future, i think they would definately free him up a bit musically and get him competing again and making quality off the wall pop.

DavidEye said:

which just shows the reviewer/writer knows little of Prince's music - as he has great sense of humour - or doesn't have a sense of humour themselves

littlejim said:

I agree - if Prince wants a hit - he needs to tie up with someone like the Neptunes to produce him, not just a lame remix. Fatboy Slim would be good too for this

There is no question that pharrell has written almost all his successfful tracks with Prince in mind. That isn't to say a collaberation between the two wouldn't bring some much needed attention to the true artist. For gods sake, if princes name would have been on 'frontin' do you think it would have done so well? Pharrell has much to offer in terms of packaging a track that the kids want to hear, but a collaberation is only worthwhile if it brings a little attention to Curtis, Stevie, Prince and anyone else who pharrell draws such obvious inspiration from!

p.s. Ive recently joined and look forward to meeting those of you going to the Manchester Meet Up!

'frontin' is an excellent song with a very Prince feeling. i am glad that Pharell has come to the fore and is doing solo stuff. I look forward to his album. I doubt that Prince would have brought anything fresh to that song as it has a sound that Prince was known for, but has sadly moved too far from. Besides, he is not known for working well in a collaborative sense. The track 'Star 69' on Common's album is fantastic - more of that classic Prince sound that is so loved and missed.

RupacShakur said:

Joshy said:

Amen!!!