Lola Young Challenges Carter Lang Over Songwriting Credits in Legal Claim

health concerns and a pause in her career.">

Lola Young Files Claim Against Musician in Songwriting Dispute

london, England – October 4, 2025 – Singer Lola Young has launched an intellectual property claim against musician Carter Lang, vehemently contesting his assertions of writing contributions to four of her songs. The legal proceedings, filed in London on Wednesday, represent a significant development in a dispute that has reportedly been ongoing for several months.

Collaboration and Subsequent Dispute

Carter Lang, a renowned producer with credits including work alongside justin Bieber and SZA, previously collaborated with Young on her breakthrough hit, “Messy.” He also contributed to four tracks on her recently released album, “I’m Only Fucking Myself.” The precise songs at the center of the disagreement remain undisclosed, but Lang’s prior collaborations with young include “Good Books,” “Messy,” “Crush” (from 2023’s “This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway”), as well as “One Thing,” “Walk All Over You,” “post sex Clarity,” and “Not Like That Anymore” from her latest album.

Representatives for young, Lang, and Sony Music Publishing have been contacted for comment but have not yet issued a statement. The filing comes during a challenging period for the artist.

Career Interruption and Health Concerns

This legal battle unfolds shortly after Young announced she was halting all upcoming performances to focus on her well-being. The decision followed an incident at the All Things Go festival in New york City last weekend, were she experienced a medical episode and collapsed onstage. Prior to this, Young was enjoying a rapid ascent in the music industry.

“Messy,” her breakout single originally popularized on TikTok, reached No.14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and topped the Pop Airplay chart in the United States. The song has also been submitted for consideration for multiple Grammy Awards in 2026, including Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist. According to data from Luminate, TikTok has driven over 700 songs to surpass 1 billion on-demand audio streams since 2020, highlighting the platform’s impact on music discovery.

Artist	Key Collaboration	Recent Development
Lola Young	“Messy,” “I’m Only Fucking Myself” album	Filed Intellectual Property Claim
Carter Lang	Production on Young’s hit songs	Dispute over writing credits

Did You Know? The rise of social media platforms like TikTok has fundamentally altered the music industry, providing new avenues for artists to gain recognition and propel their careers.

Understanding Music Publishing and Songwriting credits

Disputes over songwriting credits are unfortunatly common in the music industry. Publishing rights determine how revenue generated from a song – including royalties from sales, streams, and public performances – is distributed among its creators. Establishing clear ownership and contribution is vital for all parties involved.Typically, a publishing agreement outlines the percentage of ownership each songwriter holds. These agreements are often complex and can be the source of legal battles when interpretations differ.

Pro Tip: Clear and thorough contracts are essential for all creative collaborations to avoid future disputes.

The industry has seen a surge in legal cases related to copyright and ownership in recent years, fueled by the increasing value of music catalogs and the complexities of modern music creation. The ongoing debate surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on songwriting is also expected to contribute to further legal challenges in the future. According to a 2024 report by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), digital music revenues accounted for 84% of total recorded music revenues in the U.S.

Frequently Asked Questions About songwriting Credits

• What are songwriting credits? Songwriting credits acknowledge the individuals who contributed creatively to a song, determining their share of royalties.
• Why are songwriting disputes common? They arise from differing interpretations of creative contributions and the lack of clear agreements.
• What is an intellectual property claim? This is a legal assertion to protect ownership of creative works,such as songs.
• How does TikTok influence music success? TikTok provides a significant platform for music discovery, propelling songs to mainstream popularity.
• What is the role of Sony Music Publishing in this case? Sony Music Publishing represents Lola Young and is involved in the legal proceedings.

what impact do you think this dispute will have on Lola Young’s career trajectory? And how important are clear contracts in avoiding such disagreements within the music industry?

Share your thoughts in the comments below!

How might the evidence of demo recordings and communication records be crucial in establishing Lola Young’s claim of co-authorship?

The Dispute: A Breakdown of the Allegations

Rising British singer-songwriter Lola Young has filed a legal claim against producer Carter Lang,alleging insufficient songwriting credit and subsequent financial compensation for her contributions to several commercially accomplished tracks. The core of the dispute centers around the collaborative process and the alleged undervaluation of Young’s creative input. This case highlights a growing concern within the music industry regarding fair songwriting royalties and the accurate attribution of music copyright.

Key Tracks under Contention

the legal claim specifically names three songs released in 2024 as being central to the dispute:

* “Starlight,” a UK Top 10 hit co-produced by Lang. Young claims she contributed substantially to the melody and lyrical content.

* “Midnight Bloom,” featured in a popular streaming series,where Young asserts she developed the initial song concept and core instrumental arrangement.

* “Echoes,” a collaboration that reached platinum status, with Young alleging she wrote the majority of the lyrics and vocal harmonies.

The claim details that Young was initially credited as a featured artist on these tracks, receiving a smaller percentage of publishing rights and performance royalties than she believes is warranted.

Understanding Songwriting Credits & Royalties

Navigating music publishing and song ownership can be complex. Here’s a simplified overview:

1. Songwriting Credit: Determines who is legally recognized as the author(s) of a song. This dictates the share of royalties each writer receives. Common splits include 50/50, 60/40, or more complex arrangements based on contribution.
2. Publishing Rights: Control the exploitation of the song – how it’s reproduced,distributed,performed,and adapted. Publishers collect royalties on behalf of songwriters.
3. Performance Royalties: Generated when a song is played publicly (radio, TV, streaming, live performances). These are collected by Performing Rights Organizations (PROs) like PRS for Music (UK) and ASCAP/BMI (US).
4. Mechanical Royalties: Paid to songwriters and publishers when a song is reproduced (e.g., on a CD, vinyl, or digital download).

The Legal Basis of Young’s claim

Young’s legal team is arguing that Lang exploited his position as a producer to minimize her songwriting credit, effectively diminishing her financial stake in the success of the songs. The claim cites evidence including:

* Demo Recordings: Early versions of the songs featuring Young’s vocal melodies and lyrical ideas.

* Communication Records: Emails and text messages allegedly demonstrating Young’s ample creative input.

* Witness Testimony: Statements from other musicians and industry professionals who were present during the songwriting process.

The legal strategy focuses on proving that Young’s contributions meet the legal threshold for co-authorship under copyright law. This requires demonstrating originality and autonomous creation.

Precedent Cases & Industry Trends

This case echoes similar disputes that have emerged in recent years, highlighting a growing awareness of fairness in music compensation. Notable examples include:

* Ed Sheeran Copyright Cases: Several high-profile copyright claims against Sheeran have underscored the challenges of proving originality and authorship.

* The rise of Songwriter Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the Songwriters Guild of America are actively campaigning for improved royalty rates and greater openness in the music industry.

* Increased Scrutiny of Producer Agreements: Artists are increasingly seeking legal counsel to ensure their contracts with producers adequately protect their intellectual property.

Implications for Artists and producers

The outcome of this case could have important implications for the music industry:

* Greater Emphasis on Detailed Songwriting Agreements: Producers and artists will likely be more diligent in documenting the creative contributions of all parties involved.

* Increased Transparency in royalty reporting: Artists may demand greater access to detailed royalty statements to verify the accuracy of their earnings.

* Potential for More Legal Disputes: If Young prevails, it could encourage other artists to challenge existing songwriting credit arrangements.

Practical Tips for Songwriters & Producers

To avoid similar disputes, consider these best practices:

* Written Agreements: Always have a clear, written agreement outlining each party’s contributions, ownership percentages, and royalty splits before starting a project.

* Detailed Documentation: Keep meticulous records of the songwriting process, including demo recordings, lyric drafts, and communication logs.

* Legal Counsel: Consult with an experienced entertainment lawyer to review contracts and ensure your rights are protected.

* Open Communication: maintain open and honest communication throughout the collaborative process to address any concerns or disagreements.