Tyla Cleared in Her ‘Water’ Royalty Lawsuit

South African singer Tyla has been cleared of liability in the royalty lawsuit connected to her global hit Water, closing a legal dispute that followed the song’s commercial success and raised questions about credit and compensation behind the record.

The case was originally filed by two contributors who argued they were not properly credited as producers and were denied a fuller share of royalties tied to the master recording. While they were listed as co-writers, the plaintiffs claimed their role in shaping the final track extended beyond songwriting and should have been recognised at a higher production level, which carries greater financial participation. The lawsuit drew attention because Water had already become a chart fixture, a streaming heavyweight and a Grammy-winning record by the time the complaint surfaced, increasing the financial stakes for everyone involved.

Tyla – Instagram

In early February 2026, the plaintiffs voluntarily withdrew their claims against Tyla. Court filings confirmed she was removed from the complaint without a settlement payment or admission of wrongdoing. Her label was also cleared. The withdrawal effectively ends her involvement in the dispute and removes the risk that her signature hit could become entangled in a prolonged legal battle over ownership and royalties.

Industry observers note that cases like this are less about public controversy and more about how modern pop production works. Songs often pass through multiple studios, writers and producers before release. Credits can become contested when a record exceeds expectations and its long-term revenue becomes clearer. Water became a major commercial hit, dominating dance challenges, radio rotations and international playlists. That scale of success can magnify contractual disagreements.

Tyla – Instagram

For Tyla, the dismissal matters for her public image as well as finances. She is still in the early phase of a global career, and Water serves as her introduction to mainstream audiences outside Southern Africa. Any lingering legal uncertainty around the track could have complicated licensing, sync deals and future negotiations tied to her catalogue. With the claims against her dropped, the song remains fully usable as a key part of her catalogue and live performances.

The dispute also underlines how fast emerging artists can find themselves handling complex legal issues once a breakout hit arrives. Contracts signed during early sessions are often written before anyone expects a record to cross borders or win major awards. When it does, contributors may reassess whether those agreements reflect the revenue the song generates. Music lawyers say the lesson is not that disputes are inevitable, but that documentation and clarity at the start of a project are becoming as important as the creative process itself.

Tyla – Instagram

Tyla has not made an extended public statement about the withdrawal, and her team has largely treated the development as a procedural resolution rather than a public celebration. Her recent focus has remained on performances, new releases and growth in international markets. With the legal distraction removed, attention returns to the question that mattered before the lawsuit surfaced: how she follows a debut hit that expanded international attention toward African pop.

The end of the case does not erase the broader conversation it triggered about credits, royalties and the uncredited work behind pop production. It does, however, close a chapter that could have overshadowed a major moment in her career. For now, Water returns to being what listeners always experienced it as, a record that achieved international success without ongoing legal disputes.