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Charli XCX has been accused of using unreleased demos from another female artist on her latest album, Wuthering Heights.
The British singer, 33, scored another UK number one with her gothic soundtrack to the latest screen adaptation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, following its release in February.
But reclusive star Sky Ferreira, one of several collaborators on the new album, claims at least two of its twelve tracks come from her own collection of previously unheard demos.
Ferreira, 33, made the comments on Instagram after a fan reposted a clip of the singer’s 2012 music video Everything Is Embarrassing on X. The post featured the comment: ‘I wonder what’s her form of income [sic].’
Responding to the post, she wrote: ‘Someone sent me your X account. I toured for years. I work. I hate to break it to you, but your favorite artist records my old songs.I hope that answers your question. [sic]’
Ferreira – who is credited as a featured artist, co-writer and vocal producer on Wuthering Heights track Eyes of the World – later added: ‘I wasn’t going to say anything. I’m over being dragged & humiliated for no reason.
‘It brought back a lot of things I have worked really hard to move past. No one “saved” or helped me. My life was destroyed for over 10 years & it’s a public joke.
‘It isn’t funny. It allows people to disrespect & take advantage of me, or to manipulate multiple situations based on their perceptions of me. I wasn’t allowed to do anything. I mind my own business so I don’t know why everything is so loaded.’
The singer’s one and only album, the critically acclaimed Night Time, My Time, was released in 2013, and since then her musical output has been limited to just three singles.
A second LP, titled Masochism, has suffered numerous delays following its initial announcement in 2015, with an official release date yet to be announced.
She added: ‘I don’t want to be harassed. I don’t want the actions of multiple people f***ing things up for me & my album. I’m an honest person.
‘People don’t care about the truth. It’s about whatever narrative is fitting or more exciting. I’m glad I can finally move on with my life.’
Meanwhile, Charli’s management team has issued a statement in response to Sky’s comments.
The team told Billboard: “Charli has made seven albums, four mixtapes and one EP, and has written countless songs for other artists throughout her career.
‘She began as a songwriter with I Love It, and her work has been recorded by and pitched to multiple artists.
‘She has her own personal history with publishing and production negotiations and because of this, she always shares credits fairly and appropriately, and values her collaborators tremendously.’
They added: ‘Ahead of the Wuthering Heights album release, a standard review process was conducted on a small number of tracks from the album, including fragments of material originating from earlier sessions.
‘This process involved managers, legal representatives, artists and producers, and included a thorough review of archival materials and demo recordings.
‘All relevant parties were consulted throughout, and the album was played in full in advance of release to everyone.
‘Songwriting credits and splits were determined and agreed collectively in writing, with reference to documented timelines and contributions.
‘All credits were finalized and formally approved by the appropriate parties prior to the album’s release.’
