Beyoncé sued for alleged copyright infringement on song 'Break My Soul'

A group of Louisiana-based musicians have filed a lawsuit against Beyoncé over her 2022 hit “Break My Soul.”

The first single from the star's 2022 album Renaissance samples the 2014 song “Explode” by New Orleans artist Big Freedia, a champion of bounce music, a subgenre of the city’s dance and hip-hop scene.

According to a document filed Wednesday (May 22) in Louisiana federal court, Da Showstoppaz — comprised of Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs and Brian Clark — claims that “Explode” is copying the lyrics and composition of their 2002 song “Release a Wiggle” without permission.

The complaint notes: “Defendants used Plaintiffs’ lyrics, melody, and musical arrangement from their copyrighted works to create a tribute album to ‘Uncle Johnny’ that exposed the music and culture of the Greater New Orleans LGBTQ community, three members of which are strongly affiliated with themselves, all displayed in all its force—the tone, the actual lyrics, the melody, the musical arrangement of bounce music.”

The band also claims: “Any reasonable person listening to 'Release a Wiggle' and 'Explode' would conclude that the songs are substantially similar.”

Along with Beyoncé and Big Freedia (also known as Freddie Ross Jr.), Jay-Z, Sony Music and other agencies were named as defendants in the lawsuit.

The filing further alleges that while Beyoncé, Big Freedia and others benefited financially from the song, Da Showstoppaz did not receive the same rewards.

“Ms. Carter, Big Freedia, Parkwood, Sony and others have received numerous accolades and substantial profits from “Explode” and “Break My Soul” and the Renaissance album, the “Renaissance World Tour” and the Renaissance: A film by Beyoncé“Showstoppaz members received nothing: no recognition, no credit, no compensation of any kind,” the complaint reads.

According to Rolling stoneDa Showstoppaz is requesting credit on “Break My Soul” and “Explode,” as well as compensation and royalties for future licensing of the tracks.

The Independent has reached out to representatives for Beyoncé and Big Freedia for comment.

“Break My Soul” was the first song released by the Carter the cowboy artist for Renaissance and it was his first solo single since 2016.

Following the album's release, Beyoncé embarked on a world tour from May to October 2023, which is estimated to have grossed $579 million (£454 million) worldwide.