Chad Hugo Files Lawsuit Against Pharrell Williams Over Unpaid Royalties and Rights Dispute

Chad Hugo Files Lawsuit Against Pharrell Williams Over Unpaid Royalties and Rights Dispute

Chad Hugo has taken legal action against his former partner Pharrell Williams, filing a lawsuit seeking $1 million in unpaid royalties from N.E.R.D.'s 2017 album, No One Ever Really Dies. Hugo's attorney alleges that Williams has denied him royalties and rights as a partner in both the Neptunes and N.E.R.D. The lawsuit accuses Williams of engaging in self-dealing, concealing information, and diverting revenues owed to Hugo, leading to claims of willful, fraudulent, and malicious conduct that may result in punitive damages. This legal action follows a previous lawsuit in 2024 where Hugo claimed Williams attempted to fraudulently gain control over Neptunes' trademarks. The Neptunes, known for producing hit songs in the 2000s, have faced a strained relationship, with Williams revealing in 2024 that they are no longer on speaking terms, despite their induction into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.