Chris Brown Settles Royalties Lawsuit with Lyricist Steve Chokpelle
R&B artist Chris Brown has reached a settlement in principle with lyricist Steve Chokpelle, who claimed he was denied credit and millions in royalties for writing the songs 'Monalisa' and 'Sensational.' Chokpelle filed suit in February 2024 alleging Brown used his lyrics without proper compensation or attribution. The settlement resolves claims against Brown and Universal Music Group, though terms remain undisclosed.
Chris Brown has settled a royalties dispute with lyricist Steve Chokpelle over the songs 'Monalisa' and 'Sensational,' according to a court filing. Chokpelle alleged that he composed lyrics for both tracks at Brown's Los Angeles home in 2020, but was subsequently denied credit and compensation when Brown recorded his own versions. 'Sensational' reportedly generated over $1 million in revenue and reached number one on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart, while 'Monalisa' peaked at number eight on the Afrobeats chart. The lawsuit claimed Chokpelle received no revenues despite the songs' commercial success, while Brown and other defendants were 'unjustly enriched.' Brown's legal team had filed a motion to dismiss citing statute of limitations issues, but the settlement was reached before the judge ruled. The settlement resolves all claims against Brown and Universal Music Group, though Chokpelle continues pursuing claims against Sean Kingston, who is currently incarcerated.
What's missing
The settlement amount and specific terms are not disclosed, making it impossible to assess whether Chokpelle received meaningful compensation. Additionally, there is limited information about industry standard practices for songwriter credit and compensation in collaborative music creation.
How coverage differed
Rolling Stone's coverage emphasizes the plaintiff's allegations of wrongdoing and financial harm, using language like 'deprived' and 'unjustly enriched' from the complaint. The framing centers on Brown's alleged misconduct rather than presenting both legal positions equally, though it does note Brown's motion to dismiss arguments.
What different sources said
- Rolling StoneLeft
Chris Brown Settles ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Sensational’ Lawsuit from Lyricist
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