Rising British singer Lola Young is locked in a legal dispute with US producer and songwriter Carter Lang over songwriting credits on four of her tracks, including her hit single “Messy.”
Lola Young and Sony Music Publishing filed an intellectual property claim in London on Wednesday, with her legal team stating they had “no choice” but to take action. This development comes as Young recovers from a collapse on stage in New York, which forced her to cancel all scheduled shows “for the foreseeable future.”
Lola Young’s breakout single, “Messy,” became a viral sensation late last year, spending four weeks at number one and ranking as the second most-streamed song of 2025 in the UK. Lang, one of four producers credited on the track, has collaborated with the singer on several other projects.
The legal conflict reportedly centers on Lang’s claims to songwriting credits on four songs — a position Young’s team has “strongly refuted.”
A statement from her lawyers expressed “immense disappointment,” adding, “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.” The statement further emphasized that Young has always been “authentic in her songwriting process and acknowledges songwriting contributions where appropriate.”
The legal team described the issue as “ongoing for several months” and voiced confidence that “the truth will be established.”
Carter Lang, who has yet to publicly respond, is known for producing and co-writing major hits for artists like SZA, Justin Bieber, Post Malone, and Rosé. Young’s representatives have not confirmed which four tracks are the subject of the legal claim.
