Charli xcx Team Clarifies Sky Ferreira Wuthering Heights Credit Claim

On Saturday, April 4, Sky Ferreira dropped in a fan’s Instagram comments after they reposted a clip of the singer’s 2012 music video “Everything Is Embarrassing” on X (formerly known as Twitter). With the retweet, they questioned: “i wonder what’s her form of income.”

Ferreira was led to the user’s Instagram page, commenting on their most recent post, writing: “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. Xoxoxo”

In a since-deleted post, the same X user also uploaded a screenshot to the platform of a text conversation with an “industry insider” who alleged that two songs on Charli’s Wuthering Heights album were “ripped” from Ferreira demos dating back to 2018 and 2015. Ferreira responded to those claims via Instagram comments as well, sharing, “Your industry ‘insider’ is wrong. Close but wrong…It isn’t worth the trouble bc I know how the world works.”‘

Ferreira is, however, credited as a featured artist, co-writer and vocal producer on Wuthering Heights track “Eyes of the World.”

The exchange continued, with Ferreira also writing in the comments: “I wasn’t going to say anything…It brought back a lot of things I have worked really hard to move past.”

Charli has yet to reply, and her team confirms she is currently in Kyoto filming a movie and finishing her forthcoming new studio album. When asked for comment, her management team shared the following statement with 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. 

“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.”

Billboard has reached out to Ferreira for comment.