N.E.R.D.’s been especially silent on the music scene for well over a year since the release of their Seeing Sounds album. Now the trio’s preparing to get back into the spotlight and updating their signature sound with new vocals for their upcoming Instant Gratification album. The group is announcing a new addition to their band, a female singer from Toronto, Canada named Rhea.
Rhea was introduced to Pharrell and his band mates through a mutual friend and auditioned for the group singing ‘His Eye Is On The Sparrow’ via Skype. Impressed with her vocal skills they signed her to the group and the rest is history.
Pharrell told MTV News that the addition of Rhea makes the group more “3D” and described the group as the “punks of hip-hop” saying,
“Musically, we’re just somewhere else with her. The music is now very 3-D. It’s something you have to hear. But you’ll see. We’re definitely somewhere else. I want to leave that impact moment for when you purchase your download and you purchase your CD. The music is very three-dimensional. We’re just really excited. We feel like N.E.R.D. has always been the punks of hip-hop and the outcasts of alternative music — just a little different. But this time, we’re taking no prisoners.”
Now with Rhea on board, the group is said to be in the studio putting their finishing touches on Instant Gratification which hits stores in 2010. In the meantime, they’ll get on the road with Jay-Z for his North American College Arena tour.
