Church of God In Christ Elder Sues Lizzo Over Alleged Use Of His Funeral Performance In Song “Coconut Oil”

Orlandus Dunning, an elder in the Church of God In Christ, has filed a federal lawsuit against singer Lizzo, alleging that she used a sample of his performance at a private funeral in her 2016 song “Coconut Oil” without his permission. The lawsuit seeks $750,000 in damages, citing the emotional distress Dunning claims he suffered due to the unauthorized use of his voice.

The suit claims Lizzo recorded Dunning’s performance of a gospel hymn during a funeral for a relative and used the audio as a sample in the song’s intro and outro. Dunning, who is also an ordained elder in the Church of God In Christ, asserts that he would not have consented to the use of his voice, as the song’s message conflicts with his beliefs and role within the church.

According to the lawsuit, Dunning performed the hymn at a private funeral, intended solely for the benefit of his family and close friends. The court document states that he had a reasonable expectation of privacy, as the event was not open to the public. The suit further claims that Lizzo knew or should have known that using his voice in this manner would cause him distress, given his position as an elder in the church.

Lizzo’s song “Coconut Oil,” the title track of her 2016 EP, was described by the artist as an “ultimate ode to self-care” during an interview with Rolling Stone. However, the lawsuit does not specify how the song’s content was personally offensive to Dunning, focusing instead on the unauthorized use of his performance and the alleged violation of his privacy.

This case highlights the intersection of music, privacy, and religious identity, raising questions about the boundaries of artistic expression and the rights of individuals to control their voice and image. The legal proceedings will determine whether the use of the audio sample constitutes a violation of Dunning’s rights.

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