On Wednesday (May 22), a trampoline band sued Beyoncé, Jay-Z, Big Freedia and others in Louisiana. According to court documents obtained by AllHipHop, Da Showstoppaz claims Beyonce’s 2022 single “Break My Soul” infringes the copyright of their 2002 song “Release a Wiggle.” Verite News first reported the lawsuit.
Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul” samples Big Freedia’s 2014 song “Explode.” Da Showstoppaz stated that Big Freedia used their lyrics, melodies and musical arrangements in “Explode”.
“Prior to the writing and recording of Da Showstoppaz’s ‘Release a Wiggle,’ the phrases ‘release a wiggle’ and ‘release ya wiggle’ had never been recorded or published in any other song,” the group’s attorney argued.
Big Freedia can be heard singing “release ya wiggle” on Beyoncé’s “Break My Soul.” Da Showstoppaz seeks credit for “Explode” and “Break My Soul.”
“The defendant has not admitted [the group’s] “Their contributions were accompanied by a license to use their copyrighted lyrics, melodies and musical arrangements, and no compensation was provided to Da Showstoppaz,” the attorneys wrote. “While Mrs. Carter, Big Freedia, Packwood, Sony Companies like Explosion and Break My Soul and Renaissance Album, Renaissance World Tour and Renaissance: A Piece by Beyoncé, Da Showstoppaz received nothing — no recognition, nothing Honor, no compensation of any kind.
Da Showstoppaz believes Big Freedia knows “Release a Wiggle” because of her involvement in the New Orleans bounce scene. The song appears on a mixtape released by BlackHouse Entertainment. The lawsuit states that Big Fredia is associated with the brand.
“Given Big Freedia’s origins in New Orleans, its ties to its bounce scene, and Big Freedia’s ties to BlackHouse, any reasonable person could infer that Big Freedia had access to Da Showstoppaz’s ‘Release a Wiggle,'” the group’s attorneys argued .
Da Showstoppaz accuses Beyonce, Jay-Z, Big Freedia and others of copyright infringement, unfair trade practices and unjust enrichment. The group is seeking unspecified damages.
