Chris Brown Settles ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Sensational’ Lawsuit from Lyricist

R&B star Chris Brown has settled a lawsuit filed by lyricist Darryl “S.O.S.” McDowell, who accused him of denying proper credit and cutting him out of millions in revenue. The dispute centered on two major hits: “Monalisa” (featuring a sample of the late Prince) and “Sensational” (featuring Davido and Lojay).

McDowell claimed he contributed essential lyrics and creative work to both tracks, but Brown allegedly failed to include him as a co-writer or pay him songwriting royalties. The lawsuit, filed in 2023, alleged that Brown’s team deliberately excluded McDowell from publishing splits and performance income, costing him substantial earnings from the songs’ streaming, sales, and licensing.

Key allegations included:

  • McDowell wrote key lines for “Monalisa,” including the chorus hook, but was not credited.
  • For “Sensational,” he claimed he helped craft the song’s structure and lyrics, yet received no compensation.
  • The plaintiff sought damages for breach of contract, unjust enrichment, and copyright infringement.

While the settlement terms remain confidential, the case has been dismissed. Brown’s camp has not commented publicly. The resolution avoids a potentially lengthy trial that could have exposed further details about the songwriting process for the 11:11 album era. McDowell’s attorney expressed satisfaction with the outcome, noting it validates the importance of fair credit in the music industry.

Source: Rolling Stone – Chris Brown Settles ‘Monalisa’ and ‘Sensational’ Lawsuit from Lyricist