Chad Hugo Sues Pharrell Williams for Unpaid Royalties Dispute

Chad Hugo, a member of the renowned production duo The Neptunes, has initiated legal action against Pharrell Williams. His lawsuit claims a debt of $1 million tied to their N.E.R.D. album, “No One Ever Really Dies,” released in 2017. This legal dispute centers around allegations of unfair treatment regarding royalties and partnership rights.

Details of the Lawsuit

Hugo filed the lawsuit on a Friday, asserting that Williams has systematically denied him the royalties he is entitled to. His attorney, Brent J. Lehman, stated that Williams has engaged in self-dealing and concealed essential information from Hugo. These actions purportedly resulted in revenue diversion that should have been attributed to Hugo.

Lehman emphasized that such conduct is not only willful but also fraudulent, suggesting that punitive damages could be warranted.

Previous Legal Conflicts

This lawsuit is not Hugo’s first against Williams. In 2024, he accused Williams of attempting to gain sole control of trademarks associated with their work as The Neptunes. Specifically, Hugo alleged that Williams registered three trademarks without his consent, violating their agreement to share everything equally.

The Neptunes’ Impact

Together, Hugo and Williams produced and wrote iconic hits in the 2000s for artists like Snoop Dogg and Gwen Stefani, as well as their own projects under N.E.R.D. In 2022, they were honored with induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. However, following their 2024 legal issues, Williams disclosed that he was no longer in communication with Hugo.

Ongoing Royalties Dispute

Hugo’s current lawsuit accuses Williams of failing to provide necessary accounting and royalties from their collaborative works. A representative for Williams has not commented on the situation as of the latest updates.

Lehman expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from Williams and his team, stating, “After years of obfuscation, Mr. Hugo had no choice but to seek substantial compensation and accountability in court.” The legal team looks forward to presenting evidence in support of their claims.