Beyoncé and Big Freedia sued for copyright infringement over 'Break My Soul' sample

Beyoncé’s Break My Soul, which samples Big Freedia's "Explode," was the first single from her album Renaissance.

Beyoncé and Big Freedia are facing a copyright infringement lawsuit over the use of a sample in Beyoncé's 2022 hit song "Break My Soul." The suit, filed in Louisiana by New Orleans-based group Da Showstoppaz, alleges that both artists used elements of their 2002 song "Release a Wiggle" without permission or credit.

According to court documents obtained by PEOPLE, Da Showstoppaz claims that the "words, melody, and musical arrangement" of their song were "deliberately taken" by Big Freedia for her 2014 track "Explode." This same track was then heavily sampled by Beyoncé for "Break My Soul."
 

The lawsuit states that Da Showstoppaz has a "protectable copyright interest" over their song and that the defendants have profited from its use without acknowledging their contribution or providing compensation. They are seeking damages, credit, and a cease and desist order for the continued unauthorised use of their work.

Representatives for Beyoncé, Big Freedia, and Da Showstoppaz have not yet responded to requests for comment.

Beyoncé's "Break My Soul," which samples Big Freedia's "Explode," was the first single from her acclaimed album Renaissance. The song received four Grammy nominations, winning the award for best dance/electronic recording in 2023.