N.E.R.D. will be joining the roster for Block Party 2010 as the concert’s fourth performer, which University Union left a mystery in its initial announcement of the event two weeks ago.

N.E.R.D. is a rock and hip-hop group consisting of Shay Haley, Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. Since 2001, the group has released three full-length albums, including its most recent, ‘Seeing Sounds,’ which hit No. 7 on the Billboard 200 chart and No. 4 on the Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Album chart.

N.E.R.D. will join K-Os, Francis and The Lights, and headliner Drake at UU’s Block Party on April 30 at the Carrier Dome.

Although the other artists’ appearances were announced two weeks ago, legality requirements and paperwork delayed the announcement of N.E.R.D.

“I think this is a show that people have been waiting for,” said Kevin Manley, co-director of concerts for UU. “They’re incredibly well-respected, people know their music and people love Pharrell.”

N.E.R.D., a recent member of Kanye West’s “Glow in the Dark” tour, has performed with the likes of Jay-Z, Lupe Fiasco and Rihanna. This year’s Block Party is a change from 2009’s rock headliners Ben Folds and Guster, but UU said it hopes the concert will feature something for everyone.

“We wanted to make sure we didn’t have too many rappers with DJs,” said Deniece Holley, fellow co-director of concerts for UU. “Even if you don’t like Drake, that doesn’t mean you won’t like N.E.R.D.”

Though not as familiar with the group as with the solo work of its lead singer, Pharrell, Jason Dumas, a junior broadcast journalism major, said he has high hopes for the show.

“I like Pharrell. He’s pretty popular,” Dumas said. “I think (N.E.R.D) will do more than enough to keep people’s attention until Drake comes on.”

Because SU was one of only three schools allowed to book another large group alongside Drake, UU said it was anxious to add N.E.R.D. to the Block Party lineup.

“We were surprised at how successful the Girl Talk show was and decided to do something that echoed the same dance party atmosphere,” Manley said. “That considered, it was a no-brainer to bring N.E.R.D. to campus.”

Hip-hop star Kanye West performed at the Carrier Dome in 2006, a performance Manley hopes Drake and N.E.R.D will live up to, he said.

“People are still talking about that show, even though no current undergrad was here for it,” Manley said. “We’re going to have Drake and Pharrell on the same stage. It’s awesome. It’s going to set that standard for people five years from now to talk about.”

Published on March 7, 2010 at 12:00 pm