Source: ANGELA WEISS/Getty
Pharrell Williams talked about his relationship with Poseidon's former partner Chad Hugo and stated that the two are not on speaking terms, possibly due to a legal dispute.
The rift between Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo were notable, and the versatile producer confirmed just how deep he is. In a recent interview, Pharrell spoke at length about the new documentary about his life, Piece By Piece. He was asked about Hugo and the lawsuit filed against him by his ex-partner that claims Pharrell is trying to monopolize the Neptunes, which the two played under. “I always wish him the absolute best,” Pharrell he answered. When asked if the two were on speaking terms, he replied: “No. But I love him and I always wish him the absolute best and I'm so grateful for our time together.”
Hugo's lawsuit was filed in federal court in April, arguing that Pharrell's move to secure a sole claim to The Neptunes name, which the filing says goes against the duo's previous agreement that everything would be split equally. Williams did it archiving through his company PW IP Holdings LLC in 2022. “Throughout their thirty-year history, [Hugo] and Williams agreed, and in fact, divided all assets,” Hugo's attorney, Kenneth D. Freundlich, wrote in the filing. “By ignoring and excluding [Hugo] of any and all applications made by the applicant for the mark 'The Neptunes', the applicant has committed fraud in securing the marks and acted in bad faith.”
In response, a lawyer for Pharrell claimed the “Happy” artist was “surprised” by the lawsuit, stating that “We have reached out numerous times to share ownership and management of the trademark and will continue to make that offer.”
The news comes as Piece By Piece recently premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival. The Focus Features film, which is animated by LEGO figurines, features Jay-Z, Snoop, Kendrick Lamar, Missy Elliott, Timberlake, Gwen Stefani, Timbaland and Busta Rhymes lending their voices – as well as Hugo. “This is next level breaking so many norms and boundaries of what a typical narrative is. This feels like it could be the most special thing we've ever done,” said Focus Features president Peter Kujawski.
