Clipse Address Fallout from The Neptunes Breakup Amid Legal Battle Between Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo
The hip-hop duo Clipse have finally opened up about the acrimonious split of The Neptunes, the legendary production team of Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, which has directly impacted their ability to work with longtime collaborator Hugo on their upcoming reunion album, Let God Sort Em Out. The album is being produced entirely by Pharrell due to the ongoing legal dispute between the two Neptunes members.
Speaking candidly on Popcast, No Malice expressed that despite the tensions, his relationship with Chad Hugo remains amicable. “Absolutely miss Chad. As far as, you know, being on the album. But I’ll see Chad in the airport, in the street, at Buffalo Wild Wings, you know, in VA. Whatever they got going on, just hope for the best for that […] Whenever we see each other, it’s always still love. Always.”
Pusha T echoed a similar sentiment but emphasized the strength and independence of Clipse’s sound despite the absence of Hugo’s involvement. “For me no, you know, no. Everybody knows my favorite album is Hell Hath No Fury. Pharrell did that alone. That’s it […] Chad’s my guy. I love Chad. Pharrell’s my guy, love Chad, too. We’re brothers, we came up together. But, you know, when you say missing in the music, there is no missing in the music when it comes to the Clipse. And if it’s just P, it don’t matter—we find what we find.”
Pharrell Williams has previously confirmed the fallout with Hugo, revealing that they are no longer on speaking terms because of their legal battle over ownership of The Neptunes. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Pharrell shared: “No. But I love him, and I always wish him the absolute best, and I’m very grateful for our time together.”
The root of the conflict lies in a lawsuit filed by Chad Hugo last year. Hugo accused Pharrell and his company, PW IP Holdings LLC, of “fraudulently” seeking sole control over The Neptunes’ name and related trademarks. The legal action centers around three trademark registration applications made in 2022 that aimed to secure exclusive rights to “The Neptunes” name across streaming platforms, music videos, and live performances.
This dispute has complicated the production landscape for artists closely connected to the duo, including Clipse, who have had to navigate this split while preparing their reunion project. Despite the challenges, the Clipse members remain hopeful for reconciliation between Pharrell and Chad in the future.
Meanwhile, Pusha T has continued to build his own career, recently joining Pharrell’s fashion empire with a new role at Louis Vuitton, illustrating the enduring personal and professional bonds within their circle, even as the legal tensions persist.
As Let God Sort Em Out nears release, fans will undoubtedly be listening closely to the album’s production, aware that it marks a significant moment in the complex saga of The Neptunes’ fractured partnership and the enduring legacy of the artists involved.
