Pharrell Williams sued by Neptunes partner Chad Hugo over earnings dispute

Chad Hugo is suing his former production partner and bandmate Pharrell Williams for up to $1 million.

Hugo alleges that Williams has denied him royalties from N.E.R.D.'s 2017 album, No One Ever Really Dies, as well as earnings from touring and N.E.R.D. band merchandise.

"Williams engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and, upon information and belief, diverted revenues owed to plaintiff," wrote Hugo’s attorney, Brent J. Lehman. "Such willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct warrants the imposition of punitive damages."

This follows a 2024 dispute over Williams's registration of "The Neptunes" as a trademark solely under his name. The matter continues to be unresolved.

Williams and Hugo formed the production duo the Neptunes in 1992. The two lent their expertise to noughties hits 'I'm a Slave 4 U', 'Hot in Herre', and 'Hollaback Girl', among others.

Their rock and hip-hop band N.E.R.D. released two albums via Virgin before disbanding in 2005. They returned in 2008 with Seeing Sounds on Star Trak Entertainment, a subsidiary of Interscope Records. 2017's No One Ever Really Dies was their final album.