The South African pop star Tyla, whose real name is Tyla Seethal, has been embroiled in a legal battle with two U.S.-based songwriters, Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro, over her Grammy-winning hit song “Water.” The songwriters claim they were unjustly denied production credits and rightful compensation for their contribution to the song’s creation. The lawsuit, filed in July 2025, also names British producer Sammy SoSo (Samuel Awuku) and Sony Music Entertainment, the parent company of Tyla’s label, Epic Records, as defendants. At the heart of the dispute lies the allegation that Zucca and LoMastro co-produced “Water” during a Los Angeles studio session in March 2023, but were subsequently excluded from the official credits and the financial rewards that followed the song’s success.
“Water” achieved remarkable commercial success, peaking at number 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 2023 and reportedly generating over $10 million in revenue. It also earned Tyla her first Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance, further solidifying her international recognition. The plaintiffs contend that producer Sammy SoSo deliberately misled them into signing an unfavorable royalty agreement that significantly diminished their earnings and failed to disclose their involvement in the song’s production to Epic Records. They allege SoSo retained 15% of the publishing royalties for himself while limiting Zucca and LoMastro to 10% each, without acknowledging their producer roles or providing any producer fees.
The lawsuit demands that Zucca and LoMastro be officially recognized as co-producers of “Water,” receive retroactive and future producer fees, and be granted a 12.5% royalty share each. They argue that the defendants’ actions, including their alleged failure to honor the agreed-upon royalty percentages (10% instead of 12.5%), have caused them substantial financial harm. The legal filing emphasizes that the defendants’ refusal to acknowledge their contributions as topline producers and their failure to pay them the full royalties owed has resulted in significant financial injury.
This is not the first time Zucca and LoMastro have sought legal recourse. They initially filed a similar complaint in March 2025 but voluntarily withdrew it on July 24, only to refile the next day with new legal representation. The refiled lawsuit includes further allegations against SoSo and introduces a claim that Epic Records was unaware of the involvement of any co-producers on “Water.” This suggests that SoSo, according to the plaintiffs, withheld crucial information from the record label, further complicating the legal landscape of the dispute. The plaintiffs claim a meeting between Zucca and Epic Records President Ezekiel Lewis in May 2024, during which Lewis allegedly expressed the label’s ignorance of any additional producers on “Water,” supports their claim of SoSo’s deceptive practices.
Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Tyla’s career continues to ascend. She recently released a new four-track mixtape titled “WWP,” which features singles like “BLISS” and “IS IT,” produced by P. Priime and, notably, Sammy SoSo. The mixtape also boasts a collaboration with Nigerian superstar WizKid on the track “DYNAMITE.” Further demonstrating her growing presence in the music industry, Tyla’s previously released singles, “PUSH 2 START” and “JUMP” from her deluxe album “TYLA+,” have received RIAA certifications. Her upcoming performance at the Global Citizen Festival in New York in September further solidifies her rising star status.
This case highlights the complexities and potential pitfalls of music industry collaborations, particularly regarding intellectual property rights and fair compensation. The lawsuit’s outcome will likely have significant implications for all parties involved and could set a precedent for future disputes regarding producer credits and royalty distribution. The legal battle raises important questions about contractual transparency, the protection of artists’ rights, and the responsibilities of record labels in ensuring proper credit and compensation for all contributors to a musical work. As the case progresses, it will be crucial to determine the veracity of Zucca and LoMastro’s claims and to examine the contractual agreements and communications between the parties involved to establish the rightful ownership and allocation of royalties for “Water.” The case underscores the necessity of clear communication and legally sound agreements within the music industry to avoid disputes and protect the creative contributions of all parties involved.
