Travis Scott, Future, and SZA Hit With Copyright Lawsuit Over ‘Telekinesis’ Collab

Travis Scott, Future, and SZA are embroiled in a copyright infringement lawsuit over their 2023 collaboration, Telekinesis. Victory Boyd, a Roc Nation-signed artist, claims that the hit song uses substantial elements of her 2019 track Like the Way It Sounds without her permission.

Boyd filed the lawsuit in New York federal court, naming not only Scott, Future, and SZA but also major record labels and entities involved in the song’s release, including Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, Sony Music Publishing, and luxury watchmaker Audemars Piguet. In her complaint, Boyd asserts that Scott’s team accessed Like the Way It Sounds through a connection to rapper Kanye West.

Boyd alleges that she shared Like the Way It Sounds with West in 2019, and while no formal agreement or collaboration took place, she believes West passed on the track to Scott, who then used its melodies, lyrics, and overall sound in Telekinesis. According to Boyd, Telekinesis bears significant similarities to her original composition, making it clear that her work was used without authorization.

Boyd’s Like the Way It Sounds was recorded in 2019 and, according to the lawsuit, was later repurposed by West in a project called Ultrasounds. Boyd claims that the connections between her song, West’s unreleased version, and Scott’s final track are more than coincidental.

The lawsuit claims that the copyright infringement is apparent upon listening to both songs, with the plaintiffs alleging that key elements of Boyd’s work, including melodies, harmonies, and vocal arrangements, are clearly present in Telekinesis.

In addition to seeking financial compensation, Boyd is demanding that all copies of Telekinesis be destroyed, as well as full accounting of profits generated from the song’s success. The artist also hopes to block any future distribution of the track if the court rules in her favor.

Representatives for Travis Scott, Future, SZA, and the other defendants have yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit, but the case is already garnering attention from the music industry. Boyd’s legal team is determined to ensure she receives proper recognition for her work and a fair share of the profits that Telekinesis has generated since its release.

The outcome of this lawsuit could have significant implications for the music industry, as it raises questions about the boundaries of collaboration, copyright, and unauthorized usage of musical works. Boyd’s case highlights the growing issue of intellectual property theft in music, especially as artists use samples and reference tracks in an era of rapid digital communication.

As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes will be on how the court interprets the relationship between the original work and the alleged infringement, and whether or not the artists behind Telekinesis will face significant consequences.

Stay tuned as more details emerge about this developing story.