Lizzo faces new copyright lawsuit

Singer Lizzo faces a copyright lawsuit over an unreleased song she previewed on TikTok last summer. The 13-second clip featured lyrics referencing Sydney Sweeney and allegedly sampled elements from the 1970s soul track Win or Lose by Sam Dees. Georgia rights holder GRC Trust filed the complaint on Tuesday, Oct. 21, after negotiations failed to produce a settlement. The track has generated no revenue because it remains commercially unavailable.

Representatives for Lizzo said they were surprised by the legal action. They emphasized that the song has never been released for profit and no plans exist for future commercial distribution. The lawsuit names Jimmy Ginn as the publishing rights. GRC Trust argues that the social media exposure makes the artist liable despite the lack of monetary gain from the preview.

The About Damn Time performer recently expressed frustration with streaming platforms and algorithm changes that affect artist visibility. She released the mixtape My Face Hurts From Smiling last month with guest appearances from SZA and Doja Cat. Lizzo said she worries fans remain unaware of her new material because of problems with music industry distribution systems. She noted most major artists, except Beyoncé, have released or plan to release recordings this year.