What is the dispute over Beyoncé's song 'Alien Superstar'?

A lawsuit claims Parkwood Entertainment improperly licensed a sample for Beyoncé's 'Alien Superstar' from the song 'Moonraker.'

Did Parkwood Entertainment license the sample for Beyoncé's track?

Parkwood states it obtained both master use and composition licenses from artist John Holiday, who performed 'Moonraker.'

Why is Soundmen on Wax Records suing Parkwood Entertainment?

Soundmen on Wax claims they purchased the rights to 'Moonraker' in 1998 and should have been the party to license the sample used by Beyoncé.

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Parkwood Fights Back in Beyoncé Sample Lawsuit

19 Dec, 2025

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Summary

Parkwood Entertainment disputes copyright claims over a sample in 'Alien Superstar.'
The label asserts it properly licensed the sample from artist John Holiday.
Parkwood argues the lawsuit is meritless due to lack of documented rights transfer.

Parkwood Fights Back in Beyoncé Sample Lawsuit

Parkwood Entertainment has filed a motion to dismiss a copyright infringement lawsuit concerning the sample featured at the beginning of Beyoncé's 2022 track 'Alien Superstar.' The legal challenge comes from Soundmen on Wax Records, which asserts ownership of the 1998 song 'Moonraker,' the source of the sample. Parkwood contends that it obtained the necessary licenses for both the recording and composition directly from the artist John Holiday for $10,000 and a share of future royalties.