The “FKA” in FKA twigs has always stood for “Formerly Known As,” a prefix born out of a 2014 legal compromise. But for Tahliah Barnett, the visionary behind the Grammy-nominated EUSEXUA, that compromise has reached a breaking point. What began as a decade-old trademark skirmish has escalated into a high-stakes federal countersuit that could theoretically bar one of popβs most influential artists from using her own stage name.
The “Reverse Confusion” Conflict: Big Fame vs. Early Rights
The core of the dispute lies with The Twigs, an LA-based alt-pop duo consisting of twin sisters Laura and Linda Good. Having performed under the moniker since 1996, the sisters argue that Barnett is using her massive cultural capitalβbacked by Atlantic Recordsβto “overwhelm and destroy” their intellectual property.
While FKA twigsβ legal team argues it is “inconceivable” that fans would confuse a global star boasting 3.2 million monthly Spotify listeners with an indie duo that has “simply disappeared” from the mainstream, trademark law isn’t always about popularity. The Good sisters claim that Barnett has recently begun dropping the “FKA” prefix in public appearances, further eroding the distinction between the two acts.
A Decade of Friction
This isn’t their first time in the courtroom. In 2014, The Twigs lost an initial injunction but remained vigilant. They now claim they only reignited the war because Barnett transitioned from being a UK-based dancer and actor to a US-trademark-seeking music powerhouse.
Β This case highlights a growing trend in the streaming era: “Reverse Confusion.” This occurs when a junior user (Barnett) becomes so famous that the public assumes the senior user (The Twigs) is the infringer. For an artist like FKA twigs, whose brand is built on ethereal, avant-garde identity, losing the “Twigs” moniker would be a branding catastrophe.