Why is Tyla being sued over hit song 'Water'? Complete drama explained

Tyla’s song Water became a huge hit after it came out in July 2023. It blended amapiano beats with pop and R&B, and soon topped charts worldwide. The song even earned Tyla the distinction of being the first African woman to win a Grammy for Best African Music Performance.

Fans streamed it over a billion times, and the track won awards from Billboard, MTV, BET, and more. In early 2025, two of the people who helped make Water, producers Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro, took Tyla, fellow producer Sammy SoSo (Samuel Awuku), and Sony/Epic Records to court.

They say they did more than just minor work, but did not get full credit or fair pay. This article explains how the song rose to fame, what the lawsuit claims, the royalties under dispute, why the case matters, and what has happened so far.

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The release and success of Water laid the groundwork

When Water arrived on July 28, 2023, it quickly climbed global charts. People praised its catchy beat and Tyla’s smooth voice. The song blended South African amapiano rhythms with R&B and pop, making it stand out.

By early 2025, it had passed one billion Spotify streams. That success brought major award nominations and a historic Grammy win for Tyla.

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Two producers allege unfair credit and payment

Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro filed their lawsuit in California in April 2025. They claim they wrote parts of the beat and melody, so they should be top‑line producers.

Instead, they say they were listed as minor contributors and given only 10% of publishing royalties. They argue that other contributors each got larger shares. Zucca and LoMastro feel this was against standard industry practice.

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Specific royalty shares and failed negotiations laid the groundwork

Court filings reveal how the publishing royalties for Water were divided and how private talks broke down before the lawsuit began:

• Sammy SoSo (Samuel Awuku) took a 15% share.
• Rayan El‑Hussein Goufar was allocated 10%.
• Tricky Stewart received 5%.
• Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro each saw just 10%, though they insist they deserve 12.5% each.

In July 2023, Zucca and LoMastro reached out to Sammy SoSo to discuss this split, but they say he did not respond. Those stalled negotiations prompted them to file the formal lawsuit in early 2025.

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What the lawsuit demands and why it matters

Zucca and LoMastro ask the court to name them as top‑line producers of Water. They want the full 12.5% of publishing royalties that should come with that credit. They also seek their share of master recording royalties, such as streaming payments from SoundExchange.

In addition, they are asking for a correction of the public credits and compensation for harm to their reputations. Their case highlights how important fair credit is when songs mix talents from different countries.

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Current status and potential impact on the music industry

As of late July 2025, neither Tyla’s team nor Sony Music/Epic Records has publicly responded. The case may move toward a settlement or go before a judge. Music lawyers say the outcome could set a new standard for producer credits in global hits.

If Zucca and LoMastro win, more behind‑the‑scenes creators might push for clearer credit and higher pay. This could change how contracts for international collaborations are written in the future.