The group originally released the album on August 6, 2001 in Europe, where Kelis' Wanderland—produced by The Neptunes, consisting of N.E.R.D members Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo—was better received.

Similarly to Kelis' early work, the original version of In Search of... juxtaposes hip hop and rock influences and styles.

At the outro, Pharrell ad libs one last time as the drums end, the futuristic wails wind down and the saxophone plays a few extra notes before fading out.

Explaining the creation of the new version, Pharrell Williams has stated that as N.E.R.D was to be an entirely different venture to his and Hugo's work with the Neptunes, the band's music should also sound different, hence the decision to re-record the album.

The late designer Virgil Abloh said the album "described a whole generation of young black kids and artists who have since been determined to be themselves and jump through that door that was opened by Pharrell.