Looks like Chlöe Bailey is not immune to the rising lawsuits within the entertainment landscape. Along with her collaborators Columbia Records and Parkwood Entertainment, they are collectively facing serious legal trouble with a lawsuit from a songwriter.

Chlöe Bailey, more known these days for her solo career after years of success as part of the duo Chlöe x Halle, has been accused of improperly using the work of songwriter Melvin “4Rest” Moore.

Moore filed a lawsuit on February 20, 2025, in a New York federal court, alleging that his contributions to three tracks on Bailey’s 2024 album Trouble in Paradise were not properly credited or compensated. Feels like, we’ve been here before, so many times.

Moore claims he played a pivotal role in creating the lyrics, melodies, and overall direction for the songs “Favorite,” “Might As Well,” and “Same Lingerie.” According to the lawsuit, Bailey and her label failed to seek Moore’s permission before using his work, did not engage in fair negotiations, and neglected to provide him with the appropriate writing credits or payment for his substantial contributions. Moore described the actions of Bailey and her team as that of “modern-day swindlers,” accusing them of fraudulently registering the songs’ copyrights and falsely claiming exclusive authorship. Yikes.

What’s more, no pun intended, in aaddition to demanding $5 million for each song, Moore is seeking $150,000 for each instance of “willful infringement”—meaning every time the songs were used without his consent. His attorney, Tyrone Blackburn, is known for his high-profile cases, including representing the accuser of music mogul Diddy, Lil Rod.

Get this, Moore, affirms he has faced significant personal hardships, shared his experience with Rolling Stone in a statement about the lawsuit. “My journey as a songwriter has been one of immense struggle and perseverance. I’ve faced homelessness for two years, only to achieve homeownership 17 years later. These experiences have shaped my resilience. But even after overcoming these obstacles and achieving success, I find myself still fighting for basic fairness in how I am compensated for my work,” he said.

We’ve heard that song before and it’s not for the faint of heart. The music industry is exploitative and songwriters are often collateral damage although they create much of the revered works we’ve come to love.

Moore continued, “Many songwriters, producers, and artists are routinely underpaid and mistreated, their talent exploited under the false promise of opportunity. This cycle must end. It’s time for the industry to acknowledge the value of the creatives who bring the music to life and compensate them fairly. This fight is for all of us.”

Chlöe Bailey’s legal troubles come as her career is rising to new heights. After gaining widespread fame as part of the Grammy-nominated sister duo Chlöe x Halle, she made her solo debut with the release of Trouble in Paradise, showcasing a more mature, sensual side of her artistry. While the controversy over the lawsuit looms large, Bailey has also been in the public eye for personal matters.

On another note, again pun intended, just last month, during a visit to The Breakfast Club, Bailey was questioned about rumors surrounding her relationship with Nigerian music sensation Burna Boy. She remained tight-lipped at first but was later pressed about whether she would bring Burna Boy as her date to the 2025 NAACP Image Awards. “You’ll have to ask him,” Bailey responded when asked directly. When further asked about her relationship status, Bailey simply said, “Well I’m a grown woman. I had a great time in Nigeria. I really did.”