Overview
- The federal complaint, filed January 23 in California, accuses Williams of breaching fiduciary duties by denying access to financial records and controlling company revenues to Hugo’s detriment.
- Hugo cites missing entries in label and SoundExchange portals and estimates he is owed at least $325,000—and potentially more than $1,000,000—from N.E.R.D.’s 2017 album No One Ever Really Dies.
- The suit requests a full accounting of The Neptunes entities and N.E.R.D. Music, LLC, recovery of allegedly withheld distributions, and punitive damages for what Hugo’s attorney describes as willful misconduct.
- Per the operating agreement described in the filing, touring and other income is split 50% to Williams and 25% each to Hugo and Sheldon “Shay” Haley, with merchandising and trademark income divided equally.
- A representative for Williams has said an accounting review is underway and called the lawsuit premature, while this action follows Hugo’s unresolved 2024 trademark case over The Neptunes’ name.