Pharrell, Timbaland and Magoo were in a group called S.B.I. which stood for “Surrounded by Idiots”

In 1991, Virginia natives Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Magoo, and Larry Live were all in a group called “S.B.I.” which stood for “Surrounded by Idiots.” The group was created during their high school days. Timbaland went under the moniker DJ Timmy Tim and Pharrell was known as Magnum.

Pharrell Williams gave Chad Hugo a shoutout on “Skull Caps and Stripe Shirts” on the S.B.I. 1991 Demo Tape by calling him “Chad the Creator.”

According to Timbaland’s book The Emperor of Sound: A Memoir, Before joining S.B.I., Pharrell Williams was a member of his own group, Dead Poets Society.

Listen to their 1991 demo tape below.

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