Pharrell Williams is facing a lawsuit from his longtime music partner and childhood friend, Chad Hugo.
The two formed the iconic production duo The Neptunes, behind hits such as Snoop Dogg’s Drop it like it’s hot and Britney Spears’ I’m A Slave 4 U.
Their collaboration is now hit by a serious legal problem as Hugo claims that Williams froze him out of their company.
According to court documents, Hugo said he is owed at least $1 million in royalties from NERD’s 2017 album Nobody really dies, which included hits such as Lemon featuring Rihanna.
However, Hugo alleged that Williams kept important papers and money belonging to him. His lawyer argued that this was dishonest and wants the right to make Williams pay.
The lawsuit also references past issues, including a 2024 case over control of The Neptunes’ name.
The Neptunes and NERD have made a huge impact on music over the past 25 years, producing hits for top artists including Jay-Z, Justin Timberlake and Gwen Stefani.
Furthermore, Hugo now hopes that the court will clarify their rights and ensure that he receives the money he believes he is owed.
