Pop icon Beyoncé has been dragged into a legal dispute over her smash hit single “Break My Soul,” the lead track from her critically acclaimed 2022 album Renaissance. A copyright infringement lawsuit filed in federal court targets the singer, her husband Jay-Z, Sony Music, and Parkwood Entertainment.
The lawsuit, brought by members of the New Orleans bounce group Da Showstoppaz, centers on the alleged unauthorized use of their 2002 track “Release a Wiggle”. While Beyoncé legally sampled Big Freedia’s 2014 track “Explode,” the suit claims that “Explode” illegally copied lyrics, melodies, and arrangements directly from Da Showstoppaz. The Beyoncé sued unauthorized sample Renaissance Break My Soul filing seeks credit, back royalties, and damages from future earnings.
Defendants used Plaintiffs’ words, melody, and musical arrangement… While Mrs. Carter and others have received substantial profits, Da Showstoppaz have received no acknowledgment or remuneration.” — Legal Complaint
While the suit highlights how small-scale independent artists fight for recognition, music industry analysts note that legal precedent surrounding short lyrical phrases remains complex.
