Chad Hugo Sues Pharrell Williams Again, Alleging $1 Million Owed From N.E.R.D. Album

Chad Hugo of The Neptunes is once again embroiled in legal conflict with his production partner, Pharrell Williams. This time, Hugo alleges he is owed $1 million stemming from the duo's N.E.R.D. album, No One Ever Really Dies (2017).

Lawyers representing Hugo filed the lawsuit on Friday, asserting a “systematic denial” of Hugo’s royalties and rights as a partner in both The Neptunes and N.E.R.D. The core of the dispute centers on the financial returns from their 2017 album.

According to the lawsuit, Williams is accused of “self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to plaintiff,” as stated by Hugo’s attorney, Brent J. Lehman, via Billboard. The lawsuit further alleges that this conduct was “willful, fraudulent, and malicious,” warranting punitive damages.

This legal action follows a previous lawsuit filed by Hugo in 2024, where he claimed that Williams had “fraudulently” attempted to gain sole control over The Neptunes' trademarks. This included registering three separate trademarks for The Neptunes without Hugo's involvement, allegedly violating their longstanding agreement of equal partnership.

As The Neptunes, Hugo and Williams shaped the sound of the 2000s, producing and writing massive hits such as Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot,” Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Girl,” and Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Body.” Their collective work as N.E.R.D. further solidified their influence. The Neptunes last produced songs together in 2022, the same year they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Following the initial 2024 lawsuit, Williams revealed that he and Hugo were no longer on speaking terms. Hugo’s new lawsuit claims that Williams has continued to withhold necessary accounting and royalties related to their output as The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.

A representative for Williams has yet to respond to Rolling Stone's request for comment.

In a statement to Billboard, Lehman stated, “After years of obfuscation by Pharrell and his team, Mr. Hugo had no choice but to seek substantial compensation and accountability in court. We look forward to presenting the evidence and obtaining the full relief the law provides.”

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