Dua Lipa Faces Lawsuit: Did She Copy “Levitating” from Disco Legends?

Dive into the legal storm as Dua Lipa faces a lawsuit over her hit single “Levitating.” Get insights into the allegations, past

Dua Lipa faces a lawsuit over her hit single Levitating. Get insights into the allegations
Dua Lipa faces a lawsuit over her hit single Levitating. Get insights into the allegations (Gattyimages)

Did Dua Lip Copy Levitating

In a legal showdown that has sent shockwaves through the music industry, Dua Lipa, the celebrated pop sensation, and her collaborators find themselves embroiled in a lawsuit.

Allegations abound that the hit single “Levitating” bears an uncanny resemblance to the disco classic “Wiggle and Giggle All Night,” penned by songwriting duo L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer back in 1979. As the legal battle unfolds, questions of originality, inspiration, and artistic influence take center stage.

Dua Lipa and “Levitating”

Dua Lipa, at the youthful age of 27, has taken the music world by storm with her 2020 album “Future Nostalgia,” featuring the track “Levitating.”The melodious and pulse setting composition quickly became a fan favorite.

However, the euphoria surrounding the song has been dampened by claims from Brown and Linzer, who insist that their disco masterpiece has been used as a foundation for “Levitating.”

The Lawsuit Unveiled

The legal saga began when L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer initiated a lawsuit against Dua Lipa, along with songwriters Sarah Hudson and Stephen Kozmeniuk. The trio asserts their copyright ownership of “Levitating,” which stands as one of the standout singles from Dua Lipa’s chart-topping album.

This contentious lawsuit has thrust both parties into the spotlight, and the judiciary will ultimately determine the fate of these musical creations.

This is not the first time that L. Russell Brown has found himself entangled in a legal dispute over musical compositions. In 1980, he successfully sued over the song “Don Diablo,” which was recorded by Miguel Bose and was deemed to have infringed upon Brown’s “Wiggle and Giggle All Night.”

Dua Lipa Faces Lawsuit Did She Copy Levitating from Disco Legends
Dua Lipa Faces Lawsuit Did She Copy Levitating from Disco Legends (Gattyimages)

Now, Brown alleges that “Levitating” exhibits similarities to both “Wiggle” and “Don Diablo,” paving the way for a legal showdown of considerable magnitude.

Inspiration and Musical Eras

The crux of the lawsuit revolves around the assertion that the defendants drew inspiration from bygone musical eras during the creation of “Levitating.” Brown and Linzer contend that Dua Lipa and her collaborators intentionally or inadvertently channeled the essence of disco nostalgia, leading to striking resemblances between the two songs.

Moreover, it’s alleged that the defendants acknowledged their inspiration by crediting the original songwriters of a 1987 disco composition found elsewhere on the album “Future Nostalgia.”

U.S. District Judge Katherine Polk Failla’s recent ruling has set the legal wheels in motion. Despite a motion to dismiss filed by the defendants, the court found sufficient evidence to substantiate the claim that “Wiggle” and “Levitating” share a “strikingly similar” melodic structure.

The legal precedent set by Brown’s previous victory over “Don Diablo” further bolsters the credibility of the lawsuit.

Judge Failla’s opinion underscores the parallels between the signature melodies of the disputed songs and points to a recurring rhythmic pattern.

Analyzing the Allegations

Central to the lawsuit are allegations that the defendants copied a signature melody that appears prominently at six different junctures within the course of “Levitating.” This amounts to approximately one-third of the song’s duration.

Furthermore, the lawsuit contends that a repetitive rhythm, present in both “Wiggle” and “Don Diablo,” is also discernible in “Levitating.”

Such specific points of contention form the basis of the legal argument, with experts on both sides poised to dissect musical intricacies.

Interestingly, “Levitating” has not escaped the clutches of copyright disputes elsewhere. A lawsuit filed in Los Angeles by the reggae group Artikal Sound System alleged that Dua Lipa’s hit track bore a resemblance to one of their own compositions.

However, this legal wrangle reached its conclusion when a judge dismissed the case in June. The legal landscape surrounding “Levitating” continues to evolve, highlighting the complexities of musical copyright protection.

“Talk Box” Troubles

Adding another layer of complexity, musician Bosko Kante raised concerns about the unauthorized use of his “talk box” recording in Dua Lipa’s remixes of “Levitating.”

The talk box, a device that distorts vocals to emulate a synthesizer, was reportedly incorporated without Kante’s explicit permission. This fresh legal challenge introduces a technological dimension to the broader copyright debate.

A Pattern in the Industry?

Dua Lipa’s legal predicament is not isolated in the music industry. High-profile artists, such as Ed Sheeran, have found themselves entangled in similar copyright-related lawsuits.

The juxtaposition of chord progressions and melodic motifs has become a recurring theme, inviting debate about the creative boundaries and ethical considerations within the realm of popular music.

FAQs About Dua Lipa’s Lawsuit

Is “Levitating” Dua Lipa’s original creation?

While Dua Lipa and her collaborators claim authorship of “Levitating,” songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer contest its originality.

What are the key similarities between “Wiggle” and “Levitating”?

Both songs share a signature melody and a repetitive rhythm, forming the core of the legal argument.

How does Dua Lipa respond to the allegations?

Dua Lipa and her legal team are yet to issue an official response to the lawsuit.

How have previous copyright battles shaped this lawsuit?

L. Russell Brown’s victory in a prior copyright case over “Don Diablo” lends weight to the current lawsuit’s claims.

What impact could this lawsuit have on the music industry?

The outcome of this lawsuit could set a precedent for future copyright disputes, potentially reshaping the landscape of music creation and protection.

How does Dua Lipa’s case compare to Ed Sheeran’s previous legal challenges?

Both cases shed light on the complex interplay between creative expression and legal protection in the music industry.

Conclusion

As the lawsuit unfolds, the music world watches with bated breath to discern the outcome of this high-stakes legal battle. With echoes of past musical eras reverberating through contemporary compositions, questions of artistic inspiration and originality take center stage.

The collision of creativity and legality has once again thrust the intricacies of copyright protection into the limelight, challenging both established norms and the very essence of musical innovation.

Dua Lipa, Don Diablo, and the disco song at the heart of this dispute stand as symbols of a broader conversation about the fine line between homage and imitation in the ever-evolving realm of music.


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