Beyoncé Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged Unlicensed Sample in ‘Renaissance’ Album

Hirose Enterprise and producer Shuji Hirose has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against Beyoncé. The complaint centers on a sample used in "Alien Superstar" from her 2022 Renaissance album. They claim ownership of rights to a song called "Moonraker" performed by John Holiday, and the singer lifted a spoken-word introduction from that track without securing permission before the album dropped.

Beyoncé and her team didn't get a license for the sample before Renaissance dropped in July 2022, according to the lawsuit. Court documents obtained by TMZ show a license was secured weeks after the release from Holiday. But Hirose claims Holiday transferred his interest in "Moonraker" to them back in 1998.

The spoken-word passage at the start of "Alien Superstar" includes the lines: "Please do not be alarmed, remain calm. Do not attempt to leave the dancefloor. The DJ booth is conducting a troubleshoot test of the entire system."

Hirose says they told Parkwood Entertainment about the alleged copyright violation. The company keeps selling the record despite the notice. The plaintiffs want an injunction to stop the artist from profiting off "Moonraker" and are asking for unspecified damages.

This marks the second time Hirose has sued over "Alien Superstar." A U.S. District Judge tossed the first copyright infringement case in June over a procedural issue. Judge Mark C. Scarsi granted Parkwood Entertainment's motion to dismiss because Hirose Enterprises LLC didn't exist when the lawsuit was filed — the company was created eight days after filing the complaint.

The judge didn't rule on whether the sample was cleared or if the lawsuit had merit. The dismissal was based on standing alone.

Renaissance got widespread praise following its 2022 release. The singer described the project as a creative escape and a space free of judgment and perfectionism. She wrapped her Renaissance World Tour in October 2023.

The tour became the highest-grossing tour by a female artist before Taylor Swift's Eras Tour surpassed it with more than $2 billion in earnings. The 44-year-old has won a record 35 GRAMMY Awards. She reached billionaire status in December, according to Forbes, joining Jay-Z, Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen, and Rihanna.

The singer hasn't put out a public comment on the lawsuit, and neither have her representatives.