Chris Brown, the renowned R&B artist, is embroiled in a legal battle as songwriter Steve Chokpelle claims he was denied credit and royalties for the tracks “Monalisa” and “Sensational.” This lawsuit, filed in Manhattan federal court, alleges that Brown exploited Chokpelle’s contributions without due recognition or compensation. The case shines a spotlight on the ongoing issues of credit and compensation in the music industry, drawing attention to the complexities of songwriting collaborations.
Allegations of Uncredited Work
In the lawsuit filed on Wednesday, Steve Chokpelle claims he collaborated with Chris Brown at the singer’s Los Angeles home in 2020, alongside Sean Kingston. According to Chokpelle, Brown requested his lyrical input for “Monalisa,” which reportedly dropped on June 4, 2021. While the lawsuit doesn’t specify, a remix of “Monalisa” featuring Nigerian artists Lojay and Sarz, including Brown, reached Number Eight on Billboard’s U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart in 2022.
The Disputed Creation of “Sensational”
Chokpelle’s claims extend to another track, “Sensational,” for which he says he composed the lyrics in 2021. After supposedly hearing a demo, Brown opted to produce his version featuring Lojay. This track appeared on Brown’s 2023 album “11:11” and made impressive chart progress, reaching Number One on Billboard’s R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and peaking at Number 71 on the Hot 100. Chokpelle alleges the song grossed over $1 million in revenue, yet he has not received any earnings.
Seeking Recognition and Compensation
Chokpelle is demanding recognition and compensation as the rightful author and copyright holder of “Monalisa” and “Sensational.” His lawsuit, which names Brown, Sean Kingston, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Publishing Group as defendants, seeks a court order to affirm his ownership rights and damages for lost royalties. The suit articulates the gains accrued by the defendants, stating, “Defendants sustained a tremendous benefit, and shall continue to receive tremendous benefit, by earning millions in revenues, acclaim, accolades, and goodwill, from the commercial exploitation of ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Sensational.’”
Looming Impact on the Music Industry
Attempts to reach representatives for the accused parties have been unsuccessful. This high-profile lawsuit against Chris Brown underscores the persistent challenges faced by songwriters seeking recognition in their collaborations. It highlights the importance of transparent and fair practices in the music industry, asserting the rights of creators like Chokpelle to their contributions and earnings.
