Tyla has officially been cleared of any legal wrongdoing in the royalty dispute surrounding her global smash hit Water, after the lawsuit naming her was quietly withdrawn. The South African superstar, whose 2023 breakout single helped propel her to international fame, is no longer facing any claims related to the song following the collapse of the case earlier this month.
According to Billboard News, two composers associated with Water — Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro — voluntarily withdrew their lawsuit on February 5. The pair had accused Tyla of excluding them from master recording points, which would have entitled them to additional royalties beyond their existing publishing credits. With the withdrawal, Tyla is now fully removed from the legal dispute.
The lawsuit had already been losing momentum in late 2024 when Sony Music Entertainment was dropped as a defendant in November. That decision significantly weakened the case, leaving Water producer Sammy SoSo as the only remaining party still facing legal action. Industry observers viewed Sony’s removal as a major turning point, signaling potential flaws in the claims being made.
Sources familiar with the matter have confirmed that neither Tyla nor Sony Music paid any settlement to bring the case to an end. Instead, the lawsuit reportedly collapsed after it became clear the claims lacked legal merit. One source described the outcome bluntly, stating that “the claims were dropped because it was made clear that they were baseless.”
For Tyla, the resolution brings welcome closure to a legal cloud that had lingered over one of the most successful songs of her career. Water became a global phenomenon following its release, dominating streaming platforms, spawning viral dance trends, and earning Tyla major international accolades. The song played a crucial role in establishing her as one of South Africa’s most successful global music exports in recent years.
The dismissal of the lawsuit allows the singer to move forward without legal distractions as she continues to build her career on the world stage. Fans and industry insiders alike have welcomed the news, seeing it as confirmation that Tyla’s success was achieved without impropriety.
While legal action involving Sammy SoSo remains ongoing, Tyla’s removal from the case marks a decisive end to her involvement. With the matter now behind her, the Grammy-winning artist can refocus on new music, touring, and expanding her growing global presence — this time, unencumbered by legal controversy.
