Chad Hugo Sues Pharrell Williams Over N.E.R.D. Royalties, “Self-Dealing”

Summary

• Chad Hugo has filed a lawsuit claiming Pharrell Williams withheld up to $1 million USD in royalties from their work
• The complaint accuses Williams of self-dealing, fraud, and concealing financial records for their joint company
• This legal action escalates the ongoing dispute following a 2024 conflict over “The Neptunes” trademark rights

The rift between The Neptunes‘ co-founders has deepened, with Chad Hugo filing a new lawsuit against his longtime collaborator Pharrell Williams. While the duo defined the sound of the 2000s, this latest legal filing alleges that Williams has systematically cut Hugo out of their business operations, specifically withholding significant revenue owed from their group N.E.R.D.

Filed in federal court, the lawsuit centers on accusations that Williams engaged in “self-dealing” and “concealed material information” regarding the pair’s shared business entity, N.E.R.D. Music LLC. Hugo’s legal team asserts that he has been denied access to financial records and is owed approximately $1 million USD in unpaid royalties, largely stemming from the group’s 2017 album, No One Ever Really Dies, as well as merchandising revenue. Attorney Brent J. Lehman described the behavior as “willful, fraudulent, and malicious,” seeking punitive damages for what he characterizes as a breach of their operating agreement.

This financial dispute marks a significant escalation from their 2024 legal battle, where Hugo accused Williams of attempting to unilaterally register trademarks for “The Neptunes” name. While Williams has previously stated he wishes Hugo the best despite them no longer being on speaking terms, the new filing suggests a complete breakdown in their professional relationship, with Hugo claiming he had “no choice” but to seek accountability in court after years of obfuscation.

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