N*E*R*D, the group headed by Neptunes producers
Chad Hugo and Pharell Williams and rapper Shay recently struck gold with the
release of their debut album, In Search Of….The album has sold over 500,000
copies but Pharrell feels the label the group is signed to, Virgin, didn’t do
their best to promote the record.
The group took home a Shortlist Prize last night
at the Henry Fonda Theater in Los Angeles, winning the award for Artistic Achievement
in Music last night (Oct 29.)
"The album was certified gold without the
support of the leadership of Virgin Records," Pharell said from the stage.
DJ Shadow also took time to criticize radio for not playing his recent hit,
"The Private Press."
Cee-Lo also performed. When N*E*R*D performed
their final song, they were joined on stage with The Roots’ ?uestlove,
Mos Def and Cody Chestnut.
N*E*R*D beat out such competition as Aphex Twin,
The Avalanches, Bjork, Cee-Lo, DJ Shadow, Doves, The Flaming Lips, The Hives
and Zero 7.
The group also took home a $3,000 shopping spree
at Guitar Center and a $3,000 cash prize sponsored by Tower Records.com. Celebrities
in attendance included Black Thought of The Roots, BT, Raekwon from the Wu Tang
Clan and Tre from the Pharcyde.