Beyoncé‘s entertainment company, Parkwood Entertainment, is facing a lawsuit over an alleged unauthorized sample used in the opening of her Renaissance track “Alien Superstar.” The legal action, filed on Tuesday, July 29, also names Sony Music, Warner Chappell Music, and the artist believed to have been sampled in the song’s intro.
Notably, Beyoncé herself is not listed as a defendant in the lawsuit.
The dispute centers on a short but prominent spoken-word segment that appears at the beginning of “Alien Superstar.” The sequence, which says: “Please do not be alarmed, remain calm. Do not attempt to leave the dancefloor. The DJ booth is conducting a troubleshoot of the entire system,” is lifted from the 1990s electronic track “Moonraker” by Foremost Poets — the stage name of musician John Holiday.
Although Beyoncé and her team credited Holiday as one of the writers on Renaissance, the plaintiffs in the case argue that he did not actually own the rights to “Moonraker” and therefore had no legal authority to license the sample for use.
Beyoncé’s Parkwood Entertainment Sued Over Sample in ‘Alien Superstar’
According to the lawsuit, filed in a California federal court, the rights to “Moonraker” are held by another party, and Parkwood Entertainment, along with Sony and Warner Chappell, failed to obtain the correct permissions from the rightful copyright holder before including the sample in “Alien Superstar.”
The filing accuses the defendants of copyright infringement and negligence, claiming the sample was used without a valid license and profited from without compensation to the actual rights holder. The plaintiffs are now seeking damages, royalties, and an injunction to prevent further use of the sample unless proper authorization is granted.
“This is a classic case of assuming permission without verifying ownership,” said one attorney familiar with music copyright law. “Even when an artist is credited, it does not necessarily mean the legal groundwork has been properly laid.”
The lawsuit also implicates John Holiday, alleging that he falsely presented himself as having control over the rights to “Moonraker.” As a result, the plaintiffs argue, he misled Parkwood Entertainment and the other entities involved in the production and distribution of “Alien Superstar.”
The sampled portion plays a distinctive role in the track’s introduction, setting a futuristic and immersive tone that aligns with the themes and aesthetic of the Renaissance album. Given its prominence, the plaintiffs argue that the unauthorized use of the sample contributed directly to the song’s popularity and commercial success.
Released in July 2022, Renaissance marked Beyoncé’s return to dance and house-inspired music and was lauded for its experimental sound and deep appreciation of Black queer culture and club history. “Alien Superstar” quickly became a fan favorite, known for its bold production, affirming lyrics, and avant-garde energy.
Despite the accolades and commercial success of the album — which earned multiple Grammy nominations and fueled a sold-out global tour — Renaissance has now become entangled in multiple copyright controversies.
This is not the first legal challenge to emerge from the project. Beyoncé previously faced criticism from other artists and rights holders over her use of samples and interpolations across various tracks. In several instances, those disputes were quietly settled or addressed through added credits or revised terms. However, this lawsuit appears more serious due to the claim that the credited party never held the legal rights in the first place.
Legal experts say the outcome of this case could hinge on whether Parkwood and its partners conducted due diligence in clearing the sample. Music sampling — especially in genres like house, hip-hop, and electronic music — often involves navigating multiple layers of ownership and publishing rights, making it essential for artists and labels to verify who legally controls what.
“Even a one-second clip can lead to years of litigation if it’s used without proper clearance,” said intellectual property attorney Rachel Meyers. “What’s at stake is more than just a royalty check — it’s the credibility of the creative process.”
At the time of writing, Beyoncé and Parkwood Entertainment have not issued any public statements regarding the lawsuit. Likewise, representatives for Sony Music and Warner Chappell have declined to comment.
As the case proceeds, it underscores the increasing complexity of music production in the digital age — where innovation and homage often collide with ownership disputes and legal scrutiny. For now, “Alien Superstar” continues to stream across platforms, but its future may depend on what unfolds in the courtroom.
