Did Travis Scott, Future, and SZA steal Victor Boyd’s lyrics? Gospel singer’s copyright suit explained

Gospel singer Victory Boyd says Travis Scott used her lyrics in his 2023 hit "Telekinesis."

According to legal documents obtained by MBW, Travis Scott, SZA, and Future are being sued by Roc Nation-signed artist Victory Boyd for copying lyrics from her song, Like The Way It Sounds, in their 2023 hit, Telekinesis.

The lawsuit states, "Upon information and belief, in 2023 Scott, Sza, Future and all Defendants intentionally and willfully copied Plaintiffs’ Original Work, specifically Plaintiff’s Lyrics, when they commercially released the Infringing Work.”

The song was co-written with Kanye West, according to Boyd, as a demo originally titled "Ultrasounds," before the trio copied it and released it on Scott’s 2023 album Utopia. The suit, which was earlier filed this year, expresses that she was neither credited nor consulted upon the official release of the song.

“Not once did anyone ask me or consider to inquire about my participation in this song,” Body said in an Instagram post. “The answer would have been no. I wrote this song for God, and to the extent that Ye was working for God, I was working for Ye.”

Along with that, she also sued French luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet for using the song in a 2023 commercial campaign promoting their brand partnership with Scott. Matters got worse, as though they asked for permission to use it, she told them no; however, they still released the commercial with “TELEKENISIS.”

Travis Scott, Future, and SZA's dismissal

Scott, SZA, and Future's attorneys from the firm McPherson LLP are countering by claiming the group had express permission from Ye and are also appealing for a dismissal.

“To the extent that plaintiffs’ [complaint] survives this motion (which it should not), the facts will demonstrate that defendants’ use, if any, of the LTWIS work was duly authorized by Mr. West, as a joint author of the LTWIS work, having the right and authority to authorize such use,” the legal team stated.

They further tried to dismiss the legitimacy of Boyd's individual copyright claims, “As a matter of law, lyrics cannot be copyrighted as a standalone work when created in tandem with, or as part of, an inseparable musical composition. Without a valid registration, plaintiffs cannot initiate or maintain a claim for infringement."

Keith White, Boyd’s attorney, gave a statement to Billboard, saying,

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"We will file opposition papers within the next two weeks, and we fully expect Travis Scott’s motion to be summarily denied in short order."

The lawsuit update came after the drop of Travis Scott's album from Cactus Jack Records, JackBoys 2.

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