N*e*r*d Laugh Off Split Reports

R+B heart-throb Pharrell Williams has laughed off reports N*e*r*d are splitting, insisting the rap-rock trio are "very much a band".

Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay shot to fame with their 2001 disc In Search Of... and last year released Fly Or Die.

Earlier this month, Williams said, "n*e*r*d is dead. I don't agree with the management at Virgin Records so we're done."

However this week the group's manager Loic Villepontoux has issued a statement from Williams, backtracking on his previous comments.

Williams says, "n*e*r*d is still very much a band.

"We are playing a show together in Japan in two weeks. And we continue to appreciate the support from all our fans."