Pharrell Accused Of Cutting Out His Neptunes Partner In Shocking $1 Million Royalty Dispute

Chad Hugo, Pharrell

Pharrell Accused Of Cutting Out His Neptunes Partner In Shocking $1 Million Royalty Dispute

Pharrell Williams is being sued by his former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, who alleges Williams pushed him out of their shared business interests and withheld substantial earnings tied to their work together.

In a lawsuit filed Friday, January 23, Hugo claims he is owed as much as $1 million connected to royalties and revenues from N.E.R.D. projects.

According to the complaint, Williams allegedly engaged in misconduct that included concealing financial information and diverting funds.

“Williams engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to plaintiff,” Hugo’s attorney Brent J. Lehman wrote, adding that the conduct was “willful, fraudulent, and malicious” and warrants punitive damages.

The lawsuit expands on an earlier 2024 trademark dispute in which Hugo accused Williams of attempting to gain sole control of the Neptunes name. That matter remains unresolved. In the new filing, Hugo also claims he was denied access to financial records required under their operating agreement, despite repeated requests dating back to 2021.

“Plaintiff has not received his appropriate share of royalties in connection with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.’s album sales and released music, as well as distributions from touring income, and various merchandising deals,” Lehman wrote.

Are you sad to see the Neptunes fall out after years of hits?