Jason Derulo Faces Credit Dispute in ‘Savage Love’ Trial as Testimony Begins in Federal Court
A federal trial examining authorship and royalty claims tied to the global hit “Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)” is underway in Los Angeles, with Jason Derulo appearing in court as a defendant in a lawsuit brought by producer and guitarist Matthew Spatola. The case centers on whether Spatola is entitled to co-writing credit and a share of publishing royalties for the 2020 chart-topping single.
Jurors on the opening day were shown a recorded 2024 deposition in which Derulo demonstrated how he claims to have directed key musical elements of the track. In the video, filmed in a plain office setting, the singer responded to questioning by performing vocal approximations of guitar and bass parts he says he communicated to collaborators during early recording sessions in April 2020.
Spatola’s attorney, Thomas Werge, challenged that account in his opening statement, arguing that Derulo’s explanation was musically implausible. He told jurors that vocalizing melodies is fundamentally different from composing multi-note instrumental arrangements, particularly for an instrument like the guitar. According to Werge, Spatola was responsible for composing a key pre-chorus section and developing what he described as the song’s “instrumental bed,” which built upon the viral beat originally created by Jawsh 685.
That beat, titled “Laxed,” gained traction on TikTok before becoming the foundation of “Savage Love.” Werge said Spatola contributed to shaping Derulo’s version of the track during two in-person sessions at the singer’s home studio. While Spatola received a $2,000 payment, his legal team maintains that he never signed an agreement relinquishing rights to authorship or royalties.
The finalized credits for the song list Jawsh 685, born Joshua Christian Nanai, as the sole producer. Publishing rights were divided among Nanai (50 percent), Derulo (25 percent), songwriter Jacob Kasher Hindlin (20 percent), and instrumentalist Paul Greiss (5 percent). Spatola is not included in the credits, a point central to the dispute.
Defense attorney Howard King Rosenberg countered that Nanai was the primary creative force behind the song and that Spatola’s contributions, if any, were minor and not deserving of formal recognition. He argued that performing or assisting in studio sessions does not equate to authorship, emphasizing the distinction between executing musical ideas and originating them.
Werge also cited passages from Derulo’s 2023 memoir, Sing Your Name Out Loud, in which the artist describes releasing his version of “Savage Love” online before securing formal agreements with Nanai. The attorney suggested this reflected a broader pattern of behavior, alleging that Derulo sought to capitalize on others’ work without proper attribution. In the book, Derulo acknowledges posting the track despite advice from his manager and subsequent objections from Columbia Records, which had signed Nanai at the time.
Following opening statements, Spatola took the stand as the first witness. He testified about his early musical training and career, describing how he began playing guitar as a child and later transitioned from touring with artists such as The Weeknd and Kehlani to production work. He told the court he sought stability and long-term opportunities in the studio rather than on the road.
The lawsuit, initially filed in 2023, seeks a declaratory judgment recognizing Spatola as a co-author of the song. “Savage Love” was released in June 2020, eventually reaching No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 following the release of a remix featuring BTS.
If the jury rules in Spatola’s favor, a separate proceeding will determine financial damages and any royalties owed. Derulo is expected to testify later in the trial, which is anticipated to last approximately two weeks.
