Singer Beyoncé has been sued in Louisiana for allegedly infringing copyright with her song “Break My Soul” on her album “Renaissance”.
According to the British media outlet The Guardian, Beyoncé’s song samples the track “Explode”, released in 2014 by rapper Big Freedia, a prominent figure in New Orleans. However, according to the plaintiffs, the rapper copies the lyrics and melody from the song “Release a Wiggle“, created by Da Showstoppaz in 2002. And subsequently, used by Beyoncé in her successful track.
The members of the bounce quartet,Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs, and Brian Clark, argue that Beyoncé’s song “Break My Soul” has “significant elements” of their songs that were not authorized. Similarly, they claim that “any reasonable listener who hears both ‘Release a Wiggle’ and ‘Explode’ would conclude that the songs are substantially similar”.
The accusation not only includes Beyoncé and Big Freedia, but also Jay-Z, the record label Sony Music, among others. The plaintiffs demand formal recognition for Da Showstoppaz in the songs “Break My Soul” and “Explode”, as well as the right to receive royalties and compensation for the use of the song in future releases.
“Break My Soul” has over 440 million streams on Spotify and has generated $579 million globally, in addition to significant profits from album sales and performances during her “Renaissance World Tour”.
So far, neither Beyoncé nor rapper Big Freedia have commented on the lawsuit. Legal teams for both artists have been contacted by specialized media outlets, but have not yet received responses.
This story was written in Spanish by Daniel Matute in Cultura Colectiva
