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Songwriter Sues Chris Brown Over Credit and Royalties for 'Monalisa' and 'Sensational'

The Manhattan filing asks a judge to declare him an author of both tracks.

Overview

  • Steve Chokpelle filed a federal lawsuit in New York alleging he was denied credit and compensation for the songs 'Monalisa' and 'Sensational.'
  • The complaint seeks a court declaration of authorship and co‑copyright ownership, plus a full accounting of all revenues.
  • Chokpelle requests damages and names Chris Brown, Sean Kingston, Sony Music Entertainment, and Universal Music Publishing Group as defendants.
  • The filing alleges 'Sensational' generated more than $1 million in revenue without any payment to Chokpelle.
  • Both tracks notched chart success, including a No. 1 R&B/Hip‑Hop Airplay peak for 'Sensational,' and representatives for the defendants had not immediately commented.