Videos by According2HipHop
After nearly a decade on ice, Star Trak Entertainment—the influential label that once brought the weird, the futuristic, and the fly to the mainstream—is officially back. But this time, it’s returning without the duo that made it legendary.
Create Music Group announced a new joint venture with Star Trak and co-founder Rob Walker, marking the relaunch of the iconic imprint that Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo of The Neptunes helped build in 2001. The new deal sees Create providing distribution, tech, and marketing support for the label, which Walker says will help Star Trak “build a new chapter” rooted in its original ethos.
But before fans start dreaming about another Clipse album or a N.E.R.D. reunion, here’s the twist: Pharrell and Chad aren’t involved.
There’s been no official participation from either producer, and the absence likely isn’t random. Just a few months ago, Pharrell confirmed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that he and Chad are no longer speaking. “No,” he said bluntly when asked if they’re still in touch. “But I love him and always wish him the absolute best. I’m grateful for our time.”
That “time” includes producing some of the most influential music of the 2000s—from Kelis’ “Milkshake” and Clipse’s Hell Hath No Fury to Robin Thicke’s early hits and the sonic chaos of N.E.R.D. But in 2023, the vibe shifted. Hugo filed legal documents accusing Pharrell’s company, PW IP Holdings LLC, of attempting to gain full control over The Neptunes name and trademarks. Pharrell had filed multiple trademark applications without Chad’s involvement, sparking a messy split that’s now playing out in court.
Still, the Star Trak relaunch is happening—and it was apparently Pharrell’s idea. According to Walker, Skateboard P sparked the conversation about reviving the label. That makes the new venture feel a little like a bittersweet reboot: inspired by Pharrell, built without him.
“This isn’t just about bringing Star Trak back,” Walker said in a statement. “It’s about building a new chapter… The energy and vision that helped shape a generation is entering a new era.”
