Beyoncé, Jay-Z, & Big Freedia Named In Copyright Infringement Lawsuit, Accused Of Stealing Sample Featured On ‘Break My Soul’

Beyoncé, Jay Z, Big Freedia

Beyoncé, Jay-Z, & Big Freedia Named In Copyright Infringement Lawsuit, Accused Of Stealing Sample Featured On ‘Break My Soul’

Beyoncé’s hit single “Break My Soul” is at the center of a copyright lawsuit.

According to Baller Alert, a group known as Da Showstoppaz claims the song includes an illegal sample of one of their singles, and accused the songstress of “willful infringement.”

Beyoncé

The suit was reportedly filed by Da Showstoppaz’s group members Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs, and Brian Clark. They allege that New Orleans native Big Freedia first stole the sample from their 2002 single “Release A Wiggle”, and used it on her 2014 record “Explode” without their permission. Additionally, they claim that Beyoncé proceeded to illegally use the sample again for her “Break My Soul”, the lead single from her 2022 Renaissance album, which Big Freedia is featured on as well.

Reportedly, the group named Beyoncé, Big Freedia, Jay-Z, Parkwood Entertainment, Sony Music Entertainment and more as defendants in the suit. They argue that the 32-time Grammy winner and Big Freedia’s songs uses their:

“unique phrases, melody, and musical arrangement were used without any authorization, acknowledgment, or payment.”

In case you’re unfamiliar with the record, “Break My Soul” was an instant success upon its release, debuting at #1 on Billboard’s Hot 100 and Hot Dance/Electronic Songs charts simultaneously. The song was the first single Beyoncé released following a six-year hiatus from studio albums, and earned three Grammy nominations for Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Dance/Electronic Recording, winning the latter.

While Big Freedia’s “Explode” is named as a sample on the song, the Da Showstoppaz’s single is not. The group alleged in the complaint that Beyoncé and her associated parties are guilty of copyright infringement and stealing intellectual property, costing them a significant amount in potential royalty payments. They also claimed that Big Freedia violated the Louisiana Unfair Trade Practices Act by using their sample without crediting them, and caused serious financial damage.

The amount in damages the group is seeking is unclear at this time. It does not appear that any of the defendants have responded to the suit publicly or in court.

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