Beyoncé sued for alleged copyright infringement over 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 – made up of Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs and Brian Clark – claims that “Explode” copies the lyrics and composition of their 2002 song “Release a “. Wiggle” without permission.

The lawsuit notes: “Defendants used Plaintiffs' lyrics, melody, and musical arrangements of their copyrighted works to create a tribute album to 'Uncle Johnny' that exposed the music and culture of the Greater New Orleans LGBTQ community, including three members. are strongly affiliated with themselves, all displayed in full force – the tone, the actual words, the melody, the musical arrangement of the bounced music.

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

Alongside 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 Renaissance album, the “Renaissance World Tour” and the Renaissance: a Beyoncé filmthe Da Showstoppaz received nothing – no recognition, no credit, no compensation of any kind,” the lawsuit states.

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

The independent has contacted representatives for Beyoncé and Big Freedia for comment.

“Break My Soul” was the first song released by the Cowboy Carter 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 reportedly grossed $579 million (£454 million) worldwide.