Grammy-Winning Singer Tyla Faces Royalties Lawsuit Over “Water” Amid Industry Controversy.

Grammy-Winning Singer Tyla Faces Royalties Lawsuit Over “Water” Amid Industry Controversy.

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South African pop sensation Tyla, fresh off her Grammy win for Best African Music Performance, is now embroiled in a legal battle that could reshape how credit and royalties are handled in the music industry.

California-based producers Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro have filed a lawsuit alleging they were excluded from credits and compensation for Tyla’s breakout hit “Water.”

According to the suit, the song’s main producer, Sammy SoSo—real name Samuel Awuku—allegedly negotiated directly with Tyla and Sony Music, securing sole production credit and full royalties.

However, another separate group known as Zucca and LoMastro claim they co-produced the track and deserve equal recognition and a share of both past and future earnings, including publishing rights.

Attempts to resolve the matter privately reportedly failed, prompting legal action.

Zucca and LoMastro argue they contributed creatively to the track and deserve recognition as top-line producers, just as Sammy SoSo was credited.

They are demanding equal credit and a share of both past and future royalties, including publishing rights.

The producers claim they tried to settle the matter privately, but SoSo refused to negotiate, prompting legal action.

Critics have described the lawsuit as a greedy move, arguing that the label should be the target, not the artist.

Some say artists are often “slaves” to the industry, with little control over contractual decisions. The case has reignited conversations about the importance of clear contracts and fair crediting in music.

Artists often pour their soul into songwriting and composition, and when others contribute—whether through mixing, engineering, or production—it’s vital to define roles upfront.

Technical support should be compensated, but not confused with creative ownership unless there’s genuine co-creation.

Sammy SoSo, a British-Ghanaian producer known for blending Afrobeats, amapiano, R&B, and pop, played a pivotal role in shaping Tyla’s sound.

He produced 10 tracks on her debut album and has worked with global stars like Wizkid, Kali Uchis, and LISA from BlackPink. His influence helped define Tyla’s genre-bending style, dubbed “Popiano.”

“Water” has surpassed 1 billion streams and is projected to generate over $50 million in lifetime revenue through streaming, licensing, performance royalties, and brand deals.

But behind the success lies a cautionary tale: when contracts aren’t clear, creative triumphs can quickly turn into legal disputes.

Tyla’s case, according to insiders, should serve as a cautionary tale: success can attract disputes, especially when contracts aren’t clear.

It’s not about denying others their due—it’s about protecting your vision.

In music, clarity is power—knowing who gets what and how much is just as important before a song hits an international stage and becomes a household name.

In music, clarity isn’t just power—it’s protection

Yetunde B reports for Yeyetunde’s Blog.