# Dua Lipa Settles Copyright Lawsuit Over 'Levitating' Talk Box Performance

Musician Bosko Kante and Dua Lipa resolve legal dispute regarding unauthorized remix usage.

- **Source:** [Rolling Stone](https://www.rollingstone.com)
- **Published:** 2026-11-10
- **Topic:** [entertainment](https://brifing.si/c/entertainment)
- **Original article:** <https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-settles-levitating-lawsuit-bosko-kante-1235655179/>
- **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/8117ee53-edc0-4950-8604-f4c1c76a7ef3

## Legal Dispute Resolution

Dua Lipa has officially settled a copyright infringement and breach of contract lawsuit with producer Bosko Kante. The legal action centered on the hit song Levitating. Court documents filed on Monday, November 9, confirmed the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning the litigation cannot be refiled by the plaintiff in the future.

## Terms Remain Confidential

The specific details of the settlement agreement, including potential monetary damages or adjustments to song credits, were not publicly disclosed by either party. Both sides have agreed to cover their own legal costs and attorney fees. This resolution effectively concludes the ongoing dispute between Kante, Lipa, and Warner Records regarding the track.

## The Talk Box Claim

Bosko Kante, a specialist in talk box voice modulation, originally filed the suit in 2023. He alleged that while he was hired to perform for the original 2020 version of Levitating, the licensing agreement did not extend to subsequent remixes. These remixes, including a version featuring DaBaby, became significant commercial successes globally.

## Artist Contribution Value

Na’il Benjamin, representing Kante, stated that the resolution benefits artists collaborating with large record labels. He emphasized that proper credit and compensation for creative contributions remain essential for musicians. The settlement is framed as a recognition of Kante’s specific technical work on the song’s unique talk box performance and overall production.

## History of Legal Challenges

The Levitating track faced multiple legal challenges since its release. Previous lawsuits were filed by the band Artikal Sound System and songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer. Unlike the Kante case, those lawsuits were dismissed by judges who ruled that the plaintiffs failed to prove copyright infringement or sufficient musical similarity.

## Judicial Precedent Set

In the Artikal Sound System case, a judge ruled the band failed to prove Lipa had ever heard their song Live Your Life. Similarly, the suit involving Wiggle and Giggle All Night was dismissed because the court found insufficient similarity to warrant a trial. Kante’s case stands as the only one settled.

## Industry Impact Analysis

This settlement highlights the complexities of licensing agreements in the modern music industry, particularly regarding remixes. As songs are frequently repurposed for various digital formats, the scope of original contracts often becomes a point of contention. Kante’s success in reaching a settlement underscores the importance of clearly defining usage rights during production.

## Future Legal Implications

While this specific case is now closed, it serves as a reminder of the risks associated with multi-version song releases. Artists and labels must ensure that licensing agreements explicitly cover all derivative works to avoid future litigation. The resolution provides a framework for how similar disputes might be handled in the future.

## Sources covering this story

- https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/dua-lipa-settles-levitating-lawsuit-bosko-kante-1235655179/ — 

---

_Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._
