Music

Tyla Cleared in Her ‘Water’ Royalty Lawsuit

Published

5 months ago

9 February 2026

Tyla - Instagram

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.

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Music

Beyoncé Releases ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’ in Surprise Release

Published

5 days ago

8 July 2026

Tega Ekeri

Beyoncé - Instagram

Beyoncé has released ‘Morning Dew (Donk)’ without prior announcement, giving fans their first new solo song since 2024’s Cowboy Carter. The track arrived over the Fourth of July weekend in the United States and quickly drew attention across streaming platforms and social media.

The release also launches the 20th anniversary celebrations for B’Day, Beyoncé’s second solo studio album, which was released in 2006 and featured hits including Irreplaceable, Déjà Vu and Ring the Alarm. According to information released alongside the song, Morning Dew (Donk) was recorded during the B’Day sessions but did not make the final track list. It will now appear on the album’s upcoming anniversary edition, nearly 20 years after it was first recorded.

Beyoncé – Instagram

The song reunites Beyoncé with longtime collaborators Pharrell Williams, The-Dream and Darius Dixon, who share writing credits. Production was handled by Beyoncé and Pharrell Williams.

To accompany the release, Beyoncé shared a lyric video featuring archival footage filmed by photographer and director Cliff Watts during the B’Day era. The black-and-white visuals show the singer during a 2007 photo shoot, linking the newly released track to the period in which it was originally recorded.

Beyoncé – Instagram

Rumours about a song titled Donk had circulated for years after references to the track appeared in music industry databases, but it was never officially released. Its arrival resolves long-running speculation surrounding the recording while adding another chapter to the B’Day anniversary celebrations.

The release also comes as fans continue to speculate about Beyoncé’s next studio project. Following Renaissance and Cowboy Carter, many have been expecting the third instalment of her planned trilogy. While Morning Dew (Donk) is a previously unreleased recording from the B’Day sessions rather than a preview of a new musical direction, it arrives at a time when interest in her next project remains high.

Beyoncé – Instagram

By opening the B’Day anniversary celebrations with an unreleased recording from the vault, Beyoncé has revisited an important chapter of her career while giving listeners a chance to hear a track that remained unfinished business for nearly two decades.

Music

Tyla Becomes First Artist to Spend 100 Weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s US Afrobeats Chart

Published

6 days ago

7 July 2026

Fadire Olusola

Photo: Instagram

Tyla has reached another career milestone by becoming the first artist to spend 100 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs chart. This feat shows Tyla’s growing influence in the world’s biggest music market. The record was confirmed after her latest hit, Is It Love, climbed to the top of the chart.

The Billboard chart was launched in 2022 through a partnership between Billboard and Afro Nation, it used streaming activity, digital sales and the data to arrive at the result. The chart is used to measure African music’s appeal in the American market. To achieve such a feat, the artist needs huge listener engagement. According to Chart Data, she has double the #1 of her closest competitors.

Photo: Instagram

Tyla’s record breaking run is because of her numerous successful singles, not just a single hit. Her single, Water, remained at No. 1 in the U.S. Afrobeats chart for 55 weeks. Also, the success of Push 2 Start, Chanel, and now Is It Love contributed to her historic 100 week total.

Tyla’s success is a testament of her talent. In recent years, Afrobeats and amapiano have featured on international streaming platforms and music festivals. Her dominance shows that African artists are no longer pushovers.

Photo: Instagram

The record came at a time Tyla’s second studio album, A Pop, is gathering international momentum. With four No. 1 songs in the U.S. She has raised the benchmark for future artists on the chart. Her latest achievement is a landmark moment for South African music and the wider African music industry.