Legal storm clouds have gathered over British pop singer Lola Young’s hit single “Messy” as she filed an intellectual property lawsuit against producer Carter Lang in London on October 1, 2025. The lawsuit emerges from Lang’s claims to writing credits on four of Young’s songs, including the popular track that helped elevate her profile in the music industry.
Young’s legal team, backed by Sony Music Publishing, has strongly refuted Lang’s assertions, maintaining that Young is the rightful author of the disputed works. The timing of the legal action is particularly significant, coming just one day after the artist was forced to cancel upcoming performances following an onstage collapse in New York.
At the heart of this dispute lies the increasingly common tension between producers and artists regarding creative contributions. While Lang served as producer on “Messy,” Young’s camp insists his role did not extend to songwriting, which would entitle him to additional royalties and recognition.
Pre-existing agreements regarding credit attribution now form a central element in the legal proceedings.
“This case underscores the critical importance of protecting an artist’s authentic voice and creative ownership,” a representative from Young’s management stated, emphasizing the singer’s longstanding reputation for personal songwriting integrity.
The lawsuit seeks to prevent what they characterize as unwarranted claims that could potentially damage Young’s artistic credibility.
The music industry has long grappled with ambiguity surrounding production versus songwriting contributions, with significant financial implications hanging in the balance. Credit disputes like this one highlight the necessity for clear documentation before recording sessions commence.
Lang and his representatives have yet to issue a public response to the lawsuit. The case may establish important precedent for future credit negotiations in producer-artist collaborations, particularly as production techniques continue to blur traditional lines of creative input.
Meanwhile, Young’s team has indicated their commitment to pursuing legal remedies that protect both her reputation and the contractual arrangements governing her published works. This legal battle comes amid substantial commercial success, as “Messy” has topped the UK charts for four weeks and remains the second most-streamed song of 2025.
