I think a lot of heads (including myself) were initially turned off by the perceived 'hokeyness' of their music (happy chords, video game blips, etc). They came up during the'keyboard beat' era so they got lumped in with the Ruff Ryder/Cash Money/every yokel w/ a Triton hate. Them boys paved a lane for themselves that couldn't be stopped &
managed to put out some undeniable music.

Check this mix my man DJ Soul One did a few weeks back

http://www.peaceuvmine.com/2011/09/26/the-neptunes-revised-for-the-seasoned-traveller-by-dj-soulone/

Reminded me not only of how they had the game on lock for their run, but how they would MAKE you like a song by someone you wouldn't listen to otherwise (Philly's Most Wanted for me).