Dua Lipa's hit song Levitating has been at the center of another major copyright dispute, but the legal battle has finally come to an end. The British pop superstar and musician Bosko Kante have reportedly resolved their long-running disagreement over the alleged unauthorized use of a talk-box recording in several versions of the popular track.
The dispute, which began in 2023, raised important questions about music ownership, recording permissions and the rights of musicians whose contributions become part of commercially successful songs.
With the case now resolved, fans are looking back at what happened, why Bosko Kante took legal action and what the outcome means for Dua Lipa.
Why Did Bosko Kante Sue Dua Lipa?
The controversy began with a recording Kante allegedly created for Levitating, one of the biggest hits from Dua Lipa's second studio album, Future Nostalgia, released in 2020.
According to Kante's 2023 lawsuit, producer Stephen Kozmeniuk approached him around 2019 to contribute a talk-box performance to the song.
Kante claimed that he agreed to allow his recording to be used in the original version of Levitating. However, he alleged that the permission did not extend to subsequent remixes and other versions of the track.
He argued that his original recording was reused without the necessary authorization or additional compensation.
The lawsuit accused Dua Lipa and other parties involved in the song's production and distribution of copyright infringement and breach of an alleged oral agreement.
What Is a Talk Box and Why Is It Important?
A talk box is a musical device that allows performers to shape instrument sounds using their mouths, creating a distinctive effect that can make synthesizers and guitars sound almost as if they are speaking.
Bosko Kante is known for his work with talk-box technology and is associated with ElectroSpit, a company that developed wearable talk-box equipment.
His contribution helped create one of the musical elements that became part of the Levitating recording.
The legal disagreement focused on whether that contribution could be reused in different versions of the song without obtaining additional permission.
Which Levitating Remixes Were Involved in the Lawsuit?
Kante's complaint identified several versions and performances of Levitating that allegedly used his recording beyond the original agreement.
These included:
- The DaBaby Remix: Featuring American rapper DaBaby.
- The Blessed Madonna Remix: Featuring Madonna and Missy Elliott.
- The American Music Awards Performance: A special version associated with Dua Lipa's performance at the awards show.
Kante claimed that his talk-box recording was used in these versions without the additional authorization he believed was required.
The dispute attracted attention because Levitating became an international success, generating significant streaming numbers and commercial revenue.
How Much Money Did Bosko Kante Demand?
The financial claims made the lawsuit particularly noteworthy.
Kante sought at least $2 million in damages and claimed that profits connected to the disputed remixes exceeded $20 million.
He also requested a share of the profits and recognition of his alleged rights in the recordings.
The complaint discussed an alleged original payment arrangement involving $1,500, neighboring-rights royalties and credit for his contribution.
However, these figures represented the claims and demands made in the lawsuit. They were not amounts awarded by a judge.
What Happened During the Legal Battle?
The lawsuit was officially filed on July 31, 2023, in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.
In September 2024, a federal judge allowed Kante's copyright infringement claim to continue after rejecting an attempt to dismiss it.
The decision did not establish that infringement had occurred. Instead, it allowed the dispute to move forward through the legal process.
The case was expected to proceed to trial in March 2027, but the parties reached an agreement before that could happen.
Dua Lipa and Bosko Kante Resolve the Copyright Dispute
In November 2026, the long-running legal dispute came to an end after both sides submitted a joint court filing seeking dismissal of the case.
Reports indicated that the parties had resolved their disagreement, meaning the lawsuit would no longer proceed toward the anticipated trial.
The dismissal was requested with prejudice, which generally prevents the same claims from being brought again against the defendants.
Although some reports described the development as a settlement, the financial details have not been publicly disclosed.
It remains unclear whether Dua Lipa, Warner Records or other parties agreed to pay compensation, provide additional royalties or negotiate new licensing arrangements.
The resolution does not represent a court ruling that either side won the underlying copyright dispute.
Dua Lipa Has Faced Other Copyright Controversies Over Levitating
The Bosko Kante lawsuit was not the first copyright controversy involving Levitating.
The song previously attracted attention over allegations involving two other musical works.
In 2022, Florida reggae group Artikal Sound System claimed that Levitating copied elements of its song Live Your Life. The lawsuit was subsequently dismissed after the court found insufficient evidence of access to the earlier recording.
Another dispute involved songwriters L. Russell Brown and Sandy Linzer, who alleged similarities between Levitating and their older songs Wiggle and Giggle All Night and Don Diablo.
In March 2025, a federal judge ruled in Dua Lipa's favor in that case.
These separate legal battles demonstrated how successful songs can attract copyright scrutiny over musical similarities, samples and recordings.
What Does the Settlement Mean for Dua Lipa?
The resolution is an important development for Dua Lipa and the other parties involved.
The case will not proceed to the previously anticipated trial, bringing this particular legal dispute to a close.
However, the lack of publicly available settlement terms means that questions about financial compensation and future licensing arrangements remain unanswered.
For the music industry, the dispute also highlights the importance of clear agreements between artists, producers, session musicians and record labels.
A contribution made during a recording session can become an important part of a hit song, making it essential to establish exactly how that recording can be used in the future.
Final Thoughts
Dua Lipa's Levitating remains one of the defining pop hits of the Future Nostalgia era, but its commercial success has also brought several copyright disputes.
The latest resolution involving Bosko Kante closes another chapter in the song's complicated legal history.
While the parties have reportedly settled their disagreement, the financial details remain private, leaving fans and industry observers without a complete picture of the agreement.
One thing is clear: the case has become another reminder that behind every major hit song are creative contributions and agreements that can have significant legal consequences.
Article updated: November 10, 2026.
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