stayc main image

SEVENTEEN is Going "HOT" This Summer

June 6, 2022

SEVENTEEN (세븐틴) is a 13 member Korean boy band under Pledis Entertainment. They are split into 3 teams, the Hip Hop unit (S.coups, Wonwoo, Mingyu, Vernon), the Vocal unit (Jeonghan, Joshua, Woozi...

Read more
stayc main image

What Makes a Harry Styles Hook So Infectious

June 3, 2022

On May 20, Harry Styles released his new album Harry’s House, debuting at number one on the Billboard 200 albums chart. This is his third studio album in which all thirteen songs are in the top 30...

Read more
stayc main image

TikTok is "Hooked" on The Song House

May 26, 2022

The Song House is a songwriter house in Nashville, Tennessee where all levels of writers and artists come together to develop music. Every week, 12-15 songwriters are challenged to write a hook in...

Read more
stayc main image

Olivia Rodrigo's Journey: One Year Since her First Album Release

May 27, 2022

It’s been one year since the young pop-star, Olivia Rodrigo, released her first music album “Sour”. Since her debut, Olivia Rodrigo has won 3 Grammy Awards and named Women of the Year in 2022.

Read more
stayc main image

Doja Cat Overwhelmed With Fame Took To Twitter To Quit Music Career

March 31, 2022

​​After a cancelled performance at the Asuncionico festival in Paraguay Doja cat received backlash from fans claiming the singer neglected them outside of her hotel. After the many complaints from...

Read more
stayc main image

With T.O.P.'s Departure from YG due to mental health struggles, is this the End of Big Bang?

April 11, 2022

After a long 4 year’s K-pop group Big Bang makes a comeback to the music scene with the song “Still Life.” This song has become another banger from the group reminding fans of the music they once...

Read more
stayc main image

Broadway’s KPOP To Premiere Late 2022

April 6, 2022

The first theatre production highlighting the global takeover of the K-Pop industry will be making its Broadway debut later this year, with its opening night scheduled for November 20, while...

Read more
stayc main image

Ed Sheeran Slams “Damaging” Lawsuits Against Songwriters Amidst Copyright Case Victory

April 6, 2022

Over the past month, singer Ed Sheeran has been battling a copyright trial, accusing him of plagiarizing his 2017 hit song, “Shape of You” the song’s resemblance to their song, “Oh Why” Sami Chokri...

Read more
stayc main image

Silk Sonic’s “Leave The Door Open” Wins Record of The Year at the 2022 Grammys

April 5, 2022

If you’ve been on social media for the past few months, odds are you’ve probably heard of the iconic viral hit, “Leave The Door Open” by Silk Sonic on just about every corner of the internet.

Read more
stayc main image

5 Upcoming K-Pop Debuts To Watch For 2022

April 2, 2022

Debut: April 2022 After having competed on the reality survival show, “My Teenage Girl”, the seven-member group CLASS:y was formed, signing a seven-year contract with label, M25. The group was...

Read more
stayc main image

Here’s What You Need To Know About Queendom 2

April 1, 2022

Queendom returned for its long awaited second season (hosted by Girls Generation’s Tayeon) and here’s all you need to know: Queendom is a South Korean reality-survival show in which six girl groups...

Read more
stayc main image

Bobby Shmurda Is Finally Out Of His Epic Deal

April 7, 2022

Bobby Shmurda has finally been released from his deal with Epic Records following his own plea for his release on social media stating, “I did six years in jail trying to get off this label before...

Read more

The Fine Line Between Inspiration and Infringement: Beyoncé’s ‘Break My Soul’ Lawsuit

stayc main image

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.