The suit was brought by Olmo Zucca and Jackson LoMastro, two music creators who claim they are rightful co-composers and co-authors of the Grammy-winning track. Both Zucca and LoMastro are listed as credited writers on Spotify’s metadata for “Water,” but the lawsuit alleges they have not received proper recognition or compensation for their role in creating the song.
According to the filing, Zucca and LoMastro assert that they contributed significantly to the composition and production of the song, describing themselves as the “top-line producers”—a term that typically refers to those responsible for the melody and lyrics of a track. They claim they were actively involved during the recording process and produced audio elements that appear in the final master, yet were neither credited as full producers nor paid accordingly.
The complaint accuses the defendants of acknowledging Zucca and LoMastro's involvement in private but refusing to offer formal recognition or royalty payments. “The defendants have acknowledged that [Zucca and LoMastro] are co-composers and co-authors of the composition,” the filing states, “but steadfastly refuse to recognize and compensate [them], and pay [them] all of the royalties to which [they] are entitled.”
Beyond the financial claims, the plaintiffs allege reputational harm, asserting that the lack of proper credits has cost them industry opportunities and impacted their careers. They emphasize that their contributions were not done under a work-for-hire agreement, nor were they paid as session musicians—key legal distinctions that could weigh heavily in the court’s deliberations.
Zucca and LoMastro are asking the court for a formal declaration of their status as top-line producers and for a retroactive and ongoing 12.5% share of the song’s publishing royalties. They are also seeking a share of the master recording royalties and a standard producer fee.
Released in July 2023, “Water” quickly became a breakout success for Tyla, earning her the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance. The song has since racked up over 1 billion streams on Spotify and more than 350 million combined views on YouTube, making it one of the most globally impactful African pop songs in recent memory.
As the case proceeds, it could have broader implications for how creative credits and royalty shares are handled in the global music industry—especially in high-profile international collaborations where multiple producers, writers, and performers are involved.