A new lawsuit has been filed against Beyoncé concerning one of her popular hit singles.
Billboard reports that Beyoncé, along with her record label Sony Music, and artist Big Freedia, is facing a lawsuit from Da Showstoppaz, a group based in New Orleans. They allege that Beyoncé unlawfully used elements from their 2002 song "Release a Wiggle" in her 2022 single "Break My Soul," which sampled Big Freedia's 2014 track "Explode."
At the heart of the matter lies allegations of copyright infringement revolving around the usage of the phrase "release yo’ wiggle." Da Showstoppaz assert that Big Freedia unlawfully appropriated this three-word phrase in her 2014 track "Explode." The group alleges that Big Freedia extracted the phrase from their 2002 single "Release A Wiggle," featured on a mixtape distributed by BlackHouse Entertainment.
The complaint contends that "Explode" infringes upon Da Showstoppaz's copyrighted material, with the phrase "release yo’ wiggle" and similar variants prominently featured throughout the song. Legal representatives for Da Showstoppaz assert, "Any reasonable person listening to 'Release A Wiggle' and 'Explode' would conclude that the songs are substantially similar."
Adding fuel to the legal fire, Beyoncé's involvement stems from her sampling of Big Freedia's "Explode" in her 2022 chart-topping single "Break My Soul." Da Showstoppaz contends that Beyoncé, along with Sony Music and other associated parties, infringed upon their copyright by utilizing material derived from "Release A Wiggle" without proper acknowledgment or compensation.
The lawsuit seeks not only recognition and compensation for Da Showstoppaz but also demands credit for their contributions on both "Explode" and "Break My Soul." Furthermore, the group is pursuing damages related to the profits generated by Beyoncé and Big Freedia's respective songs, as well as associated projects such as Beyoncé's tour and film, "Renaissance: A Film by Beyonce."
While copyright law typically does not protect "short, simple phrases," Da Showstoppaz's legal team remains steadfast in their pursuit of justice. Despite potential challenges, they assert their copyright ownership of the distinctive lyrics in question and highlight Big Freedia's alleged failure to credit them as the source.
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