Songwriter Victory Boyd has initiated legal action against prominent musicians Travis Scott, SZA, and Future, alleging that they unlawfully incorporated her lyrics into their 2023 collaboration “Telekinesis.” The lawsuit, filed on January 10, 2025, claims that the artists, signed to Jay-Z’s Roc Nation label, intentionally copied elements from her original track, “Like the Way It Sounds,” which she released in 2019.
In the lawsuit, Boyd names Scott, SZA, Future, and several associated parties, including record labels Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, and Sony Music Entertainment, as well as the luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet. The complaint asserts that the artists willfully and intentionally used Boyd’s lyrics and melody without obtaining the necessary permissions.
Boyd contends that her song “Telekinesis,” featured on Travis Scott’s album “Utopia,” directly incorporates her original material. She claims that she previously shared her song “Like the Way It Sounds” with Kanye West and recorded a version titled “Ultrasounds” with him, which she believes was subsequently accessed by Scott, despite never being released to the public.
According to the lawsuit, the defendants exploited material left in a Wyoming studio where Scott was working on his album, suggesting that Boyd’s work was misappropriated during this period. The legal filing states, “Upon information and belief, Scott, SZA, and Future intentionally and wilfully copied Plaintiff’s original work, specifically Plaintiff’s lyrics and melody, when they created the infringing work in May of 2023.”
In a significant twist, Boyd alleges that she was credited as a songwriter for “Telekinesis” but was unaware that her work would be used commercially by the trio. She had intended to release her own version of the song under Roc Nation, further complicating the matter.
The lawsuit also points to a collaboration between Scott, SZA, Future, and Audemars Piguet for an advertising campaign that featured “Telekinesis,” which Boyd claims was authorized without her consent.
Victory Boyd is seeking the destruction of all copies of music derived from her original work, alongside financial compensation for damages, profits, and interest. Additionally, she has requested a comprehensive accounting of all revenue generated from the marketing, distribution, and broadcasting of “Telekinesis.”
As this legal battle unfolds, it raises important questions about intellectual property rights within the music industry and the ethical responsibilities of artists and producers in safeguarding the integrity of creative works. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for future collaborations and the protection of original artistic contributions.
