Neptunes’ Chad Hugo files lawsuit against Pharrell Williams

Chad Hugo filed a new lawsuit on Friday (Jan. 23) against his former Neptunes partner Pharrell Williams, seeking $1 million in unpaid royalties from N.E.R.D.‘s 2017 album, No One Ever Really Dies. Hugo’s attorney Brent J. Lehman alleges a “systematic denial” of Hugo’s royalties and rights as a partner in both the Neptunes and N.E.R.D. “Williams engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to plaintiff,” Lehman wrote in the lawsuit. “Such willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct warrants the imposition of punitive damages.” This follows Hugo’s 2024 lawsuit claiming Williams fraudulently tried to gain sole control over Neptunes’ trademarks. The duo produced major 2000s hits including Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Hot” and Gwen Stefani‘s “Hollaback Girl.” Williams revealed in 2024 that they are no longer speaking, two years after they were inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. (Rolling Stone)