Singer song writer Victory Boyd has filed a lawsuit against Travis Scott, SZA, and Future, alleging that they have ‘stolen’ elements of a song she wrote in 2019.

In a federal lawsuit filed in New York on January 8, Boyd claims that Travis Scott, SZA, and Future used significant portions of her unreleased song "Like the Way It Sounds" written six years ago in their 2023 track Telekinesis, featured on Scott’s chart-topping album Utopia.

The suit also names several companies and collaborators involved in the production and release of "Telekinesis," including Cactus Jack Records, Epic Records, Sony Music Entertainment, and luxury watch brand Audemars Piguet.

On January 11 the singer song writer, signed to ROC Nation, posted to her Instagram platform to her 135,000 supporters a mini vlog detailing when she wrote the song, the original version and the alleged copy righted version by Future, SZA and Travis Scott titled Telekinesis. Telekinesis was released in July 2023 and has 22 million views on YouTube alone.

In a comment to Premier Gospel Victory said: "This is a battle for souls. This is what we need to pray for…that the Glory that belongs to JESUS will be reclaimed from the enemy (not Travis, but actually the devil).

There will be a line drawn and people will have to choose to align with the demonic or the divine. Travis will have an opportunity to help in restoring the song back to its original intent. He has so far refused which is why we are at this point."

The Allegations: Did Travis Scott Have Access to Boyd's Music?

Boyd alleges that the song’s similarities aren’t a coincidence. She claims that she shared her song with Kanye West (now Ye) in 2019 during studio sessions in Wyoming. Ye reportedly recorded his own version of the song, titled Ultrasounds, which was never officially released.

According to Boyd, it was during these Wyoming sessions that Travis Scott, a frequent collaborator of Ye, likely became aware of her work. Boyd believes this is how elements of her song ultimately made their way into Telekinesis.

In her lawsuit, Boyd claims that specific lyrics and melodies from her song were used without her consent. The complaint highlights particular passages from both songs that she says are strikingly similar.

The Use of Telekinesis in a Luxury Watch Campaign

The lawsuit doesn’t stop at the music alone. Boyd is also targeting Audemars Piguet, a high-end watch brand, which allegedly used Telekinesis in an advertising campaign without her permission.

Boyd claims she was approached by the brand for a licensing deal but explicitly refused. Despite her denial, she says the company went ahead and used the song in its promotional material, further infringing on her rights.

What Boyd Is Seeking in Damages

Boyd is asking the court to take several actions, including:

• The destruction of all copies of Telekinesis that infringe on her original work.

• Financial compensation for damages, including a share of the profits generated from the song.

• A full accounting of the revenue earned from the song’s marketing, distribution, and use in promotional campaigns.

• The lawsuit asserts that Boyd’s song was improperly credited in the metadata of Telekinesis and that she was not informed about the release of the track.

How Similar Are the Two Songs?

While the lawsuit is still in its early stages, legal experts will likely scrutinize both songs to determine whether Boyd’s claims hold up in court. Copyright infringement cases often hinge on proving that one work is "substantially similar" to another and that the alleged infringer had access to the original material.

Boyd believes she has a strong case, given that her song was shared within the same circles that Travis Scott and his team operate in. She also argues that her refusal to license the song to Audemars Piguet strengthens her claim that the brand knowingly used it without permission.

What’s Next for the Defendants?

Neither Travis Scott, SZA, nor Future have publicly commented on the lawsuit. Their respective labels and representatives have also remained silent on the matter.

The lawsuit marks another high-profile copyright case in the music industry, following similar cases involving artists like Ed Sheeran, Katy Perry, and Robin Thicke. These cases highlight the ongoing debate around intellectual property rights and the blurred lines between inspiration and theft in the creative process.

The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how songwriters protect their work in an era of frequent collaborations and shared creative spaces.