Songwriter Steve Chokpelle alleges he hasn’t gotten his cut of the “millions in revenues, acclaim, accolades and goodwill” earned from the two songs.
Chris Brown at the Louis Vuitton Men’s Fall/Winter 2026 fashion show as part of Paris Men’s Fashion Week held at Fondation Louis Vuitton on January 20, 2026 in Paris, France.
Swan Gallet/WWD
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Chris Brown has been sued by a man who claims he co-wrote two successful songs for the R&B star but hasn’t seen a penny in royalties.
Songwriter Steve Chokpelle, also known as Muse, alleged in a Wednesday (Feb. 4) federal court complaint that he wrote the lyrics for “Sensational,” a track off Brown’s 2023 album 11:11, which reached the top of Billboard’s Mainstream R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay chart and peaked at No. 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. Chokpelle also says he was the lyricist for the 2022 track “Monalisa,” a collaboration between Brown, Lojay and Sarz that hit No. 8 on Billboard U.S. Afrobeats Songs and No. 38 on Billboard‘s Rhythmic Airplay chart.
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“Defendants sustained a tremendous benefit, and shall continue to receive tremendous benefit, by [earning] millions in revenues, acclaim, accolades and goodwill from the commercial exploitation of ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Sensational,’” reads the lawsuit. “As a result of defendants’ failure to acknowledge plaintiff’s authorship and copyright ownership interests, and by their failure to compensate plaintiff, defendants have been unjustly enriched.”
According to the lawsuit, Chokpelle wrote the “Monalisa” lyrics during a 2020 session with Brown and fellow singer Sean Kingston at Brown’s home in Tarzana, Calif. But Chokpelle is not credited on the song, and he alleges he “never received any compensation despite ‘Monalisa’s’ commercial success.”
Chokpelle then claims he penned the lyrics for “Sensational” in 2023 alongside producer Onyekachi Emenalo, who goes by the moniker Krazytunez, and later shared the song with Brown. Although Chokpelle is indeed listed as a composer on the “Sensational” credits, he alleges he was intentionally left off the song’s copyright registration paperwork and has been paid “no revenues whatsoever.”
Now, Chokpelle’s lawsuit seeks a court order that would declare him an author and co-copyright owner of both “Monalisa” and “Sensational.” He’s also seeking at least $1 million in damages as part of unjust enrichment and fraud claims against Brown, Kingston, Sony Music Entertainment and Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG).
Reps for Brown, Sony and UMPG did not immediately return requests for comment on Wednesday. Kingston, who is currently serving a federal prison sentence after being convicted of fraud in an unrelated matter, could not immediately be reached for comment.
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Chris Brown Sued by Lyricist Who Says Star Cut Him Out of ‘Sensational’ & ‘Monalisa’ Royalties
The Ongoing Legal Dispute Over Royalties
In recent developments shaking the music industry, famed American singer Chris Brown is facing a lawsuit filed by a lyricist who claims Brown unfairly cut him out of royalties for two major hit songs – ‘Sensational’ and ‘monalisa’. This legal battle centers around monetary rights and recognition pertaining to songwriting credits, sparking discussions on music royalties, licensing, and intellectual property rights within the entertainment realm.
Details of the Royalty lawsuit
The lyricist alleges that despite contributing valuable lyrics and composition elements to both tracks, Chris Brown excluded him from receiving proper royalties usually distributed to songwriters. According to the complaint, this exclusion is not only a breach of contract but also a violation of copyright and songwriting agreements typically binding in the music industry.
- Claims involve improper withholding of royalties stemming from commercial performance and sales.
- Dispute affects digital streaming platforms, radio play revenue, album sales, and public performances.
- The lyricist seeks compensation for losses accrued and official credit on both songs.
Key Songs in question
| Song title | Year Released | Contributor | Royalties Disputed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sensational | 2023 | Lyricist (Plaintiff) & Chris Brown | Songwriting & Publishing Royalties |
| Monalisa | 2022 | Lyricist (Plaintiff) & Chris brown | Songwriting & Publishing Royalties |
Understanding Music Royalties: WhatS at Stake?
Music royalties compensate artists, songwriters, producers, and other creatives every time a song is played, sold, or used commercially. The legal battle highlights critical royalty categories:
- Performance Royalties: Payments from live performances, radio, and streaming service plays.
- Mechanical Royalties: Earnings from digital downloads and physical sales like CDs or vinyl.
- Publishing Royalties: Generated when the composition itself is licensed or used in other media.
Failing to adequately share these royalties can cause severe financial and reputational damage to uncredited contributors, spotlighting the importance of transparency and fair contracts in the music business.
Legal Implications and Industry precedents
Industry experts emphasize that lawsuits like this one against chris Brown often set benchmarks for how royalties and credits are assigned in collaborative works. These disputes underscore:
- The necessity for precise and enforceable songwriting agreements.
- The complexities surrounding ownership rights when multiple creatives collaborate.
- The role of third-party collection societies and licensing organizations in verifying proper payments.
Common Causes of royalty Disputes
| Cause | Description |
|---|---|
| Credit Conflicts | Disagreements over who officially contributed to songwriting. |
| Contractual Ambiguities | Vague or unsigned contracts that fail to specify royalty splits. |
| Unauthorized Use | Use of lyrics or compositions without permission or proper compensation. |
| Distribution Errors | Royalty checks misallocated or delayed due to administrative mistakes. |
chris Brown and Previous Legal Issues: Context Matters
This recent lawsuit adds to a growing list of legal challenges the Grammy-winning artist has encountered throughout his career. While this royalty dispute focuses on financial rights, Brown’s legal history includes both personal and industry-related cases, illustrating the frequently enough-complicated intersection of fame and law.
Some notable past issues:
- 2009 conviction for assaulting fellow artist Rihanna, resulting in probation and counseling.
- Recent $500 million defamation lawsuit against Warner Bros. over a documentary portrayal was dismissed by a California judge in early 2026.
these previous cases often influence public perception and perhaps the legal handling of current disputes like the lyricist lawsuit.
What This Means for songwriters and Artists
The lawsuit serves as a cautionary tale and learning chance for artists and songwriters navigating collaboration and royalties in the digital age. Some practical tips include:
- Always secure writen agreements: Before releasing or performing a new work, get explicit contracts detailing contribution percentages and royalty paths.
- Register works with proper collection agencies: Organizations like ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC aid in tracking and collecting owed royalties.
- Utilize music publishing professionals: Publishers and legal advisors can help negotiate fair splits and monitor royalty distribution.
- Keep transparent dialog: Conflict can often be avoided by addressing concerns early within collaborative teams.
Case Study: Royalty Disputes Impacting Artist Relationships
Historically, royalty disagreements have strained or broken longstanding collaborations. As an example, prominent artists like Taylor swift, Dr. Dre, and Pharrell Williams have faced public royalty disputes, showing the high stakes involved.
In many cases, court victories or settlements have resulted in revised contracts, financial awards, and clearer procedures for handling future royalties – benefiting the wider music community as a whole.
Summary Table: Key Stakeholders in the Chris Brown Royalty Lawsuit
| Stakeholder | Role | Interest |
|---|---|---|
| Chris Brown | Lead Artist | Defending credit and royalty allocations |
| Lyricist (Plaintiff) | songwriter | Recovery of owed royalties and proper recognition |
| Publishing Companies | Royalty Administrators | Ensuring accurate royalty distribution |
| Music Platforms (Spotify, Apple Music) | Distributors & Licensors | Compliance with royalty payment frameworks |
Stay Updated
This case continues to develop, so staying informed about court outcomes and official statements will be essential for those following Chris Brown’s legal journey and the evolving music royalties landscape.
