July 23, 2023
NewJeans is a girl-group composed of 5 members, Hanni, Minji, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein. Newjeans debuted in 2022 with their EP 'NewJeans,' bringing a totally new attitude to the K-pop industry...
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The upcoming 'Barbie' film, scheduled for release on July 21st, has captured the hearts of fans who have long admired the animated Barbie films. Greta Girwig's live-action remake of the famous film...
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BTS, the global sensation, continues to astound the music industry with their incredible music and meaningful lyrics. Among the members, Jungkook, also referred to as the "Golden Maknae," is.....
Read moreJuly 19, 2023
Music industry icon Beyoncé is powerful and captivating. She is known not only for her dramatic performances, but also for her outstanding songwriting skills. We will delve deeper into the creative...
Read moreJuly 19, 2023
Gunna, a mainstream rapper, just released a new album containing a #1 “Billboard Hot 100” hit song called “fukumean” despite the current controversy around his name. Gunna was arrested back in May....
Read moreJuly 19, 2023
Everyone knows Tik Tok as the app that blew up during COVID as a way for people to create and share short videos for others to enjoy. The video’s posted range from funny skits, dances, lip sync.....
Read moreJuly 19, 2023
The mastermind behind the overwhelmingly successful album, Sour, the 20-year-old Olivia Rodrigo comes back into the spotlight with a new heart wrenching single, ‘Vampire’ and the...
Read moreJuly 18, 2023
Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse took the world by storm with its groundbreaking animation, immersive storytelling and captivating visuals . One of the key elements that contributed to the succe...
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Barbados-born superstar Rihanna has left an indelible mark on the music industry with her iconic sound, versatile talent, and fearless attitude. Her music has become a cultural phenomenon....
Read moreMay 31, 2023
Capturing millions with a unique sound and compelling personality in an ever-evolving world of contemporary music. Very few artists have been able to do it....
Read moreMay 25, 2023
Legendary singer-songwriter Taylor Swift has captivated the world with her haunting lyrics and infectious melodies. Behind her numerous chart hits lies an intriguing songwriting process.....
Read moreMay 18, 2023
Kiana Ledé has been rocking in the R&B scene and her latest single “Jealous” continues this trend. The other day, Sonical.ly had the chance to sit down and talk with Ledé about her musical journey.
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In the intricate world of music creation, inspiration often blurs the lines between originality and infringement. The recent lawsuit against Beyoncé over her hit song "Break My Soul" serves as a poignant reminder of these complexities. The lawsuit, filed by members of the bounce music group Da Showstoppaz, accuses Beyoncé of illegally using elements from their 2002 track “Release a Wiggle” through a sample in Big Freedia’s "Explode," which was then featured in "Break My Soul."
Beyoncé’s chart-topping single prominently samples "Explode" by Big Freedia, a prominent figure in the New Orleans bounce music scene. Bounce music, characterized by its energetic tempo and repetitive rhythms, has been steadily gaining mainstream recognition, thanks in part to artists like Big Freedia. However, Da Showstoppaz allege that "Explode" borrows significant portions from their earlier work "Release a Wiggle," specifically the repeated chorus phrase "release your wiggle."
Da Showstoppaz members Tessa Avie, Keva Bourgeois, Henri Braggs, and Brian Clark claim that the lyrics and musical composition in "Explode" are substantially similar to those in "Release a Wiggle." They are calling for recognition and financial compensation, seeking to be credited for their contributions and to receive royalties from both "Explode" and "Break My Soul." The lawsuit names Beyoncé, Big Freedia, Jay-Z, and Sony Music as defendants, highlighting the far-reaching implications of such claims in the music industry.
The case underscores the importance of navigating the fine line between inspiration and copyright infringement. While drawing from existing music can lead to innovative and popular new tracks, it also risks crossing into legal territory. For music creators, producers, and anyone involved in the industry, understanding the boundaries of copyright law is crucial. Failure to do so can result in costly legal battles, damaged reputations, and financial losses. Ensuring originality and properly crediting sources are essential practices to safeguard against these dangers and to foster a creative environment that respects the intellectual property of all artists.