**The Clipse are finally addressing the elephant in the studio—**and it’s all about the breakup of legendary production duo The Neptunes.
In a revealing sit-down with Popcast, brothers Pusha T and No Malice got candid about their creative journey on the upcoming album Let God Sort Em Out—produced entirely by Pharrell Williams, and noticeably missing longtime collaborator Chad Hugo.
???? “I Absolutely Miss Chad,” No Malice Admits
No Malice didn’t sugarcoat it when reflecting on Hugo’s absence from the project.
“Absolutely miss Chad. As far as, you know, being on the album,” he said. “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. Whenever we see each other, it’s always still love. Always.”
While heartfelt, the message also hinted at distance and disconnection, both personally and professionally.
???? Pusha T Says Clipse Music Doesn’t Miss a Beat Without Chad
Despite the noticeable absence, Pusha T stood firm that The Clipse’s sound and creative integrity remain untouched—even with Pharrell now flying solo.
“Everybody knows my favorite album is Hell Hath No Fury. Pharrell did that alone. That’s it,” Pusha said. “Chad’s my guy. I love Chad. Pharrell’s my guy, love Chad, too. We’re brothers, we came up together.”
But when asked about Hugo’s absence in the music, he didn’t hesitate:
“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.”
⚖️ Behind the Music: The Neptunes’ Legal Feud
Tension behind the scenes boiled over publicly in April 2024, when Hugo and Williams became entangled in a legal dispute over the use of The Neptunes name.
In a statement reported by HOT97, Hugo’s attorney Kenneth D. Freundlich alleged:
“By ignoring and excluding [Hugo] from any and all applications filed by [Williams] for the mark ‘The Neptunes,’ applicant has committed fraud in securing the trademarks and acted in bad faith.”
The fallout shook fans of the iconic duo who revolutionized early-2000s hip-hop with their futuristic, minimalist sound.
???? What’s Next for The Clipse?
Despite the tension around The Neptunes’ status, Let God Sort Em Out marks a full-circle return for Clipse, their first album in over a decade. With Pharrell back at the boards and the brothers reunited lyrically, the record is shaping up to be one of 2025’s most anticipated drops.
Still, the absence of Chad Hugo—and the silence between once-unbreakable collaborators—leaves fans wondering if this is truly a new chapter or just the closing of an iconic one.
???? Fans React: “We Miss Chad, Too”
Social media lit up following the Popcast interview:
- “Not having Chad Hugo on this new Clipse album hurts my soul ????”
- “I get Pharrell’s fire, but Neptunes always meant both of them.”
- “Imagine a Hell Hath No Fury sequel with Chad’s touch. Unreal.”
???? What Do You Think? Can Clipse Thrive Without Chad Hugo?
Is Pharrell enough to carry the magic solo? Or does The Neptunes’ chemistry deserve a revival?
Drop your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for more exclusive updates on Let God Sort Em Out, Chad Hugo’s next moves, and the legacy of The Neptunes—only on The Pop Radar.
