Lola Young

A live performance from Lola Young. Photo Credit: Raph_PH

Lola Young and Sony Music Publishing (SMP) are reportedly litigating against songwriter and producer Carter Lang over a multi-track credits dispute.

Young and SMP submitted the action to a London court this past Wednesday, per the BBC. While the early report and subsequent stateside coverage are light on concrete details – even outlets across the pond seemingly have yet to obtain the actual complaint – the legal battle apparently involves Lang’s claimed songwriting credits on four works.

However, it’s unclear what those four songs are – and whether they include the smash hit “Messy.” The latter is part of This Wasn’t Meant for You Anyway; Lang looks to be credited as a writer on the June 2024 album’s “Good Books” and “Crush” and as a producer on the former song as well as “Messy.”

More recently, Young’s I’m Only F**king Myself dropped last month, appearing to credit Lang on “One Thing” (writer and producer), “Walk All Over You” (producer), “Post Sex Clarity” (writer and producer), and “Not Like That Anymore” (writer and producer).

Regarding the showdown’s timing, many are already aware that Young closed out September by nixing all her upcoming performances to focus on her health; the action arrived one day following the cancellations. As such (and beyond the fact that the litigation is just beginning), she has yet to publicly comment on the matter.

But the way the 24-year-old’s attorneys tell the story – the BBC attributed a lengthy statement only to the London-born artist’s lawyers – the credits disagreement “has been ongoing for several months.” If that is, in fact, the case, it didn’t stop Lang from including Young (besides Justin Bieber, SZA, and more) in a recent Grammys-minded Instagram post thanking his artist collaborators.

DMN reached out to Lang and his team for comment but didn’t receive a response in time for publishing.

On the opposite side of the courtroom confrontation, here’s the full statement attributed to Young’s legal team:

“It is with immense disappointment, especially given recent events, that we have had no choice but to respond to recent writing credit claims from Carter Lang on four Lola Young songs by issuing legal proceedings on her behalf.

Carter’s claims are strongly refuted and we will not allow Lola’s reputation and integrity to be called into question – particularly so long after the sessions took place and agreements were put in place.

Lola has always been authentic in her songwriting process and acknowledges songwriting contributions where appropriate.

This dispute has been ongoing for several months and we look forward to the truth being established.”