Chad Hugo has filed a fresh lawsuit against long-time collaborator Pharrell Williams, accusing him of withholding royalties connected to their joint musical work. The legal action centres on revenue generated from N.E.R.D.’s 2017 album No One Ever Really Dies.
Allegations of Withheld Royalties
According to the court filing, Hugo claims he is owed up to $1 million in unpaid earnings. The lawsuit alleges that Williams failed to provide accurate financial records and did not properly account for income generated from projects covered under their shared business agreements.
Claims of Misconduct
Hugo’s legal team alleges deliberate misconduct on Williams’ part. In the complaint, his attorney states that Williams “engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and diverted revenues owed to the plaintiff.” The filing further describes the alleged actions as “wilful, fraudulent, and malicious.”
Ongoing Dispute Between Former Partners
The lawsuit also claims that Hugo has made repeated attempts over several years to gain access to company financial records without success. According to the complaint, required royalty statements and payments were not provided despite multiple formal requests made through legal representatives.
This latest dispute follows an earlier lawsuit filed in 2024, in which Hugo accused Williams of attempting to register trademarks associated with The Neptunes without his consent.
Hugo and Williams formed The Neptunes in the 1990s, becoming one of the most influential production duos in modern music. Their last known collaboration took place in 2022.
As of the time of filing, Williams has not publicly responded to the new lawsuit.
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