Jay-Way

Pharrell Williams is facing a new lawsuit from former Neptunes partner Chad Hugo, who alleges he was cut out of their shared company and is owed up to $1 million tied to an N.E.R.D. album. The suit claims Pharrell “engaged in self-dealing, concealed material information, and … diverted revenues owed to [Chad Hugo],” and that the conduct was “willful, fraudulent, and malicious.” Hugo says he has not received his proper share of royalties from The Neptunes or N.E.R.D., including album sales, touring, and merchandising. Hugo also alleges repeated requests for financial records since 2021 were ignored or met with incomplete disclosures, which his lawyer says “constitutes a breach of the operating agreement.” Damages are estimated at $325k–$575k, with “potential damages” exceeding “$750k–$1M.” The lawsuit also touches on Hugo’s creative role in the duo: “[Chad Hugo] served as principal composer, arranger, multi-instrumentalist, and producer… while Defendant Williams more frequently appeared as the public-facing member of the duo.”

IF WE LOSE THIS MATCH I WILL NEVER MAKE MUSIC WITH A GHANIAN ARTIST IN MY LIFE