Pharrell Williams has publicly confirmed that he and longtime collaborator Chad Hugo are no longer on speaking terms. This revelation arises against the backdrop of a legal dispute initiated earlier this year when Hugo filed a lawsuit against Williams concerning the rights to the Neptunes name. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pharrell shared his feelings about the situation, stating, "I always wish him the absolute best." Despite their estrangement, he expressed that he still harbors affection for Hugo, while confirming their lack of communication with a straightforward, "No." He reiterated his gratitude for the experiences they shared throughout the years.
The duo known as the Neptunes, who formed in 1992, have significantly impacted the music landscape, producing numerous hits for a variety of artists. They also created the band N.E.R.D. in 1994. However, their partnership's amicability has faced challenges due to Hugo's legal action, which contends that Williams sought sole control over the Neptunes trademark without Hugo's consent. This move is perceived as a potential violation of their long-standing agreement to share assets equally.
A representative for Williams conveyed that he was caught off guard by the lawsuit, asserting that the trademark filings were intended to protect their mutual interests and to ensure that neither party could lose rights to the name without mutual consent.
Despite the ongoing legal battle, reports indicate that Chad Hugo remains involved in Pharrell's upcoming LEGO biopic, "Piece By Piece," set to release on October 11 in the U.S. and November 8 in the UK. This film explores Pharrell's life and career, featuring collaborations with Hugo, Snoop Dogg, and Gwen Stefani. Further coverage on both the biopic and the current lawsuit can be found on NME.