Chad Hugo claims Pharrell Williams kept royalties and songwriting credits that should have been shared, accusing his longtime partner of trying to erase him from The Neptunes’ legacy.
The producer made the allegations in a recent federal court filing opposing Williams’ request to dismiss a lawsuit over music ownership, credits, and unpaid earnings.
“Defendants ask the Court to write Chad Hugo out of The Neptunes on the pleadings, before a single document has been produced,” Hugo’s attorneys wrote. “But The Neptunes were two people.” The filing alleges that Williams invited Hugo to resume working together in 2019, telling him he “never wanted to work without [him] again.”
Hugo claims they agreed to divide production and publishing income equally, as they had throughout their decades-long partnership.
![EARTHGANG - U Gotta (ft. @Pharrell) [Official Music Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/48rotnpDJiA/hqdefault.jpg)
Instead, he alleges Williams kept money and recognition that should have been divvied up between them.
The dispute includes EarthGang’s “U Gotta,” which Hugo claims he helped create but was removed from as a credited artist. Hugo also alleges that he repeatedly requested royalty statements and financial records between 2021 and 2024 but received little information.
Williams and his company, Talamasca, Inc., seek dismissal, arguing that Hugo’s lawsuit lacks sufficient detail about the music involved.
Hugo’s attorneys insist the case deserves to proceed.
“Dismissal of a claim arising from a thirty-year partnership is not a proportionate response,” they wrote.
Hugo wants the court to recognize his ownership rights and determine his share of the earnings.