The estate of a late New Orleans YouTube star has filed a $20 million copyright infringement lawsuit against Beyonce over the use of his voice in her “Formation” video.
The estate of Anthony Barre, who went by the name Messy Mya on YouTube, claims in the lawsuit filed in New Orleans federal court that Barre’s voice is featured in the introduction to the video. The complaint alleges Barre’s estate has received no payment or acknowledgment.
Barre was fatally shot in 2010.
In addition to Beyonce, the suit names several songwriters, the video’s director and companies owned by Warner Music Group. Representatives for Beyonce and WMG didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Clash of Florida Titans Pits Powerful Tribe Against Homebuilder Lennar 
New Autopsy of Baby Killed by Police in Mississippi Deepens Outrage 
Florida Supreme Court Ruling Could Mean New Pressure to Settle High-Dollar Lawsuits 
Insurers Avoid €580 Million Hit From Nord Stream Pipeline Blasts 
