N.E.R.D.’s influence on Odd Future is no secret. The Internet—a satellite offshoot of Tyler, the Creator’s pseudo-defunct group—recognized Pharrell, Chad, and Shay’s impact with pieces of 2015’s exquisite Ego Death. They do so once more with a cover of “Tape You,” recorded while visiting Australian radio station triple j. Syd, Martian and co. have spent much of February down under, now on the last swing of their visit before heading to London.
Taking the time to do the In Search Of… cut justice, The Internet combined keyboard riffs, warm synthesized organs, and live drums to breathe a new twist into the 14-year-old song (which has held up quite well). N.E.R.D.’s relevance continues with acts on the rise (Brockhampton among them) who aspire to match the creativity of both the group and its individual members.
Press play on the triple j video, embedded above, and drift away to The Internet’s in-studio interpretation.
Here’s the original, released in 2002:
