*Chad Hugo has taken authorized motion towards his longtime producing associate Pharrell Williams, claiming unpaid royalties tied to the 2017 N.E.R.D. album “No One Ever Actually Dies Alone.”
Based on Billboard, the lawsuit, filed on January 23, alleges that Williams has withheld key monetary paperwork and owes Hugo as a lot as $1 million. Hugo’s legal professional, Brent J. Lehman, accused Williams of misconduct within the submitting. “Williams engaged in self-dealing, hid materials data, and, upon data and perception, diverted revenues owed to Plaintiff,” Lehman stated, per Pitchfork. “Such willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct warrants the imposition of punitive damages.”
This authorized motion builds on earlier disputes. In 2024, Hugo accused Williams of trying to assert sole possession of The Neptunes’ trademark. On the time, Hugo’s lawyer, Kenneth D. Freundlich, wrote, “All through their over thirty 12 months historical past, [Hugo] and Williams agreed to, and actually, have divided all property. By ignoring and excluding [Hugo] from the any and all purposes filed by applicant for the mark ‘The Neptunes,’ applicant has dedicated fraud in securing the emblems and acted in dangerous religion.”
Williams’ crew responded that that they had supplied Hugo joint possession of the trademark. “We have now reached out on a number of events to share within the possession and administration of the trademark and can proceed to make that supply,” a spokesperson stated. “The purpose right here was to verify a 3rd social gathering doesn’t come up with the trademark and to ensure Chad and Pharrell share in possession and administration.”
Earlier than Williams skyrocketed as a solo sensation, The Neptunes churned out a cascade of chart-toppers within the early 2000s. Hits like Nelly’s “Scorching in Herre,” Snoop Dogg’s “Drop It Like It’s Scorching,” Gwen Stefani’s “Hollaback Lady,” and Justin Timberlake’s “Rock Your Physique” cemented their legendary standing. The childhood mates had been inducted into the Songwriters Corridor of Fame in 2020. Along with their manufacturing work, Hugo and Williams collaborate within the rap-rock group N.E.R.D., alongside member Shay Haley.
