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Travis Scott, SZA, and Future Face Copyright Lawsuit Over “Telekinesis”
Roc Nation Artist Claims Unlawful Use of Lyrics and Melody from Her Original Song in Scott's 2023 Album Utopia
Victory Boyd Alleges Unauthorized Use of Her Song “Like the Way It Sounds” in Utopia Track
Victory Boyd, a Roc Nation-signed artist, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Travis Scott, SZA, and Future, claiming their song “Telekinesis,” from Scott’s 2023 album Utopia, incorporates elements of her 2019 track “Like the Way It Sounds” without her consent. The legal filing, made on January 8, also names Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet, among others, as defendants.
Allegations of Unauthorized Use
The lawsuit asserts that Boyd’s song was shared with Kanye West and later evolved into an unreleased collaboration called “Ultrasounds.” Boyd alleges this version was left in a Wyoming studio, where Travis Scott worked, and its elements were used in “Telekinesis.” While Boyd is credited as a songwriter, she claims she was unaware her work would be “copied and commercially released” by Scott, Future, and SZA.
The complaint further states that Boyd intended to release her version of the song through Roc Nation and accuses the defendants of deliberately copying her lyrics and melody. Boyd also alleges that Audemars Piguet used the track in an advertising campaign without her permission.
Legal Demands
Boyd is seeking a court order requiring the defendants to recall and destroy all copies of the allegedly infringing song. She is also asking for an accounting of all profits generated from the track, including those tied to the advertising campaign, and for monetary damages to be determined at trial.
Broader Implications
This lawsuit highlights ongoing challenges in music copyright law, where claims of unauthorized use often surface in high-profile collaborations. Similar cases, such as Dua Lipa’s disputes over her hit “Levitating,” demonstrate the complexities of navigating creative ownership in a rapidly evolving music industry.
Representatives for the defendants, including Cactus Jack Records and Epic Records, have yet to comment on the case. The outcome could set a significant precedent for how collaborative works are credited and used in the future.
