The Story of Hip-Hop Super Producers The Neptunes — and How Everything Went Wrong

In the late 1990s and early 2000s, practically everyone in the music industry was eager for a chance to work with Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams. Known in the industry as The Neptunes, the Virginia natives were known for writing and producing hits for artists like Nelly, Britney Spears, Snoop Dogg and Justin Timberlake.

But after years of making hits, Hugo and Williams have found themselves at odds in recent years over unpaid royalties and the rights to The Neptunes’ name. This week, Hugo filed a suit against his childhood friend, alleging he’s owed nearly $1 million dollars in royalties for the last album from their group N.E.R.D. This is the story of the highs and lows of The Neptunes.

Becoming The Neptunes

Pharrell Williams met Chad Hugo in high school when they were students at Princess Anne High School in Virginia Beach, VA. The pair, who both played in the school band, began making beats together at Hugo’s house, calling themselves The Neptunes.

Futuristic Sound

Williams and Hugo bonded over their love of all things sci fi, which came through in a unique futuristic sound that was a blend of percussive rhythms and synthesizers.

“We didn’t know that we were creating a sound or starting anything; we just knew, because we were influenced by so many different things, we knew we needed to be just as different and polarizing,” Williams told CBS. “We could not take that crazy, what seemed like random at the time opportunity, and just sound like someone else.”

Meeting Teddy Riley

In 1991, The Neptunes caught the attention of songwriter and producer Teddy Riley, who opened a studio near their high school, after a scout heard the group perform at a talent show. That meeting would skyrocket them into the spotlight and introduce a new sound in R&B and hip-hop music that was infectious.

“Rump Shaker”

Williams got a big break in 1992, when he wrote a verse on the Wreckx-n-Effect’s hit “Rump Shaker.” Although they didn’t know it at the time, the hit would open the door for a string of hits by The Neptunes.

How “Superthug” Set it Off

The Neptunes had their breakout hit in 1998, producing Noreaga’s “Superthug.” The song, which soared to number one on the charts got the rest of the industry to take notice of this dynamic musical duo. From there, they went on to produce a string of hits, including Jay-Z’s “I Just Wanna Love U,” Britney Spears “I’m a Slave 4 U” and “Hot in Herre” by Nelly.

So Many Hits

The Neptunes didn’t just make hip-hop, they also wrote and produced plenty of R&B and pop hits, including Britney Spears “I’m a Slave 4 U” and “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani.

Grammy Award-Winning Projects

By the early 2000s, The Neptunes were among the hottest producers in the music industry, a fact that led them to collaborate with former N’Sync member Justin Timberlake. Williams and Hugo produced a co-wrote a majority of Timberlake’s debut solo album, “Justified,” which won the Grammy award for Best Pop Vocal Album. That same year, the duo won the Grammy for Producer of the Year.

N.E.R.D.

In 2001, Williams and Hugo teamed up to form the group N.E.R.D. The group, known for blending rock and roll with hip-hop and their signature Neptunes sound, released five studio albums.

Songwriters Hall of Fame

The Neptunes were acknowledged for their contributions to the music industry when they were named as part of the Songwriters Hall of Fame class of 2020. In an interview with CBS News, Hugo and Williams said they were honored to be included among the best songwriters of all time and heaped lots of praise on each other.

“I learned so much from this guy,” Williams said of Hugo. “He showed me how to play the chords that I really liked. He’s literally the guy that can pick up any instrument and play anything.”

Hugo responded by giving credit to his producing partner.

“Vocals and lyrics and chords and musical arrangements…this guy,” Hugo responded.

Legal Woes

Although they made music together for years, things went bad for The Neptunes in 2024. That year, Chad Hugo filed a lawsuit against Williams alleging that he “acted in bad faith” when he filed a trademark for The Neptunes name without him.  

In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Williams said he and Hugo are no longer on speaking terms, but added that he will always have love for his childhood friend and music partner.

“But I love him, and I always wish him the absolute best, and I’m very grateful for our time together,” he said.

Even More Legal Woes

The group formerly known as The Neptunes got off to a rough start in 2026, when Hugo filed a lawsuit on Jan. 23, alleging that Williams was keeping royalties from him that he was due. According to the suit, Williams owes Hugo up to $1 million from the sales of their 2017 N.E.R.D album, “No One Ever Really Dies,” claiming he hasn’t seen a penny since 2023.

“Plaintiff has not received his appropriate share of royalties in connection with The Neptunes and N.E.R.D.’s album sales and released music, as well as distributions from touring income, and various merchandising deals,” wrote Hugo’s lawyer, Brent J. Lehman, in a statement.