Chad Hugo, co-founder of the Neptunes, has released his first solo single, “Jumpupw!nya,” featuring rappers Tierra Whack and Leikeli47. The upbeat track comes with a sci-fi music video set on an apocalyptic planet.
The song marks Hugo’s debut as a solo artist and includes his signature grooves along with spacey synths. In the video, Hugo appears as a cowboy in the desert while Whack operates an intergalactic spacecraft, with scenes of hazmat-suited figures and multiple explosions.
Leikeli47 said in a statement: “For those that don’t know, I’m from Brooklyn by way of Virginia; so when Chad called, I leapt at the opportunity to collaborate. Love to the amazing Tierra Whack. I’m just happy to play my part.”
Hugo’s press materials indicate more music is expected soon. The release follows ongoing legal disputes with former Neptunes partner Pharrell Williams, including a 2024 trademark lawsuit and a January 2026 suit seeking up to $1 million in royalties from the 2017 N.E.R.D. album No One Ever Really Dies.
Williams’ representatives have stated that a standard accounting review is underway and that he has acted in good faith.