Massive Lawsuit Against Reggaeton Persists
The massive lawsuit against reggaeton continues, and it could result in millions in losses for iconic figures in the urban music genre.
Before the U.S. courts, there is a legal claim by Steely & Clevie, the famous Jamaican reggae and dancehall producer duo consisting of Wycliffe Johnson (Steely) and Cleveland Browne (Clevie).
Both have been key figures in the Jamaican music scene since the 1980s and are credited as the founders of the famous dembow rhythm, which is the creative foundation of reggaeton.
Dembow, iconic in reggaeton, is characterized by a catchy and repetitive rhythm, primarily dominated by percussions that resonate with force. Steely & Clevie Productions, a Jamaican production company, maintains their position in a massive lawsuit against reggaeton.
The lawsuit includes some of the biggest stars in contemporary music.
According to court documents filed in California, obtained by DancehallMag, Steely & Clevie Productions argue that their 1989 riddim “Fish Market” is a distinctive enough musical piece to deserve legal protection under U.S. copyright laws.
Massive Lawsuit Against Reggaeton
This riddim, also known as “Dem Bow,” has been the basis for numerous reggaeton music productions.
Steely & Clevie point fingers at about 170 artists, producers, and record labels in their lawsuit. Among the accused are luminaries like Bad Bunny, Daddy Yankee, Ricky Martin, Justin Bieber, Luis Fonsi, Pitbull, Drake, Rauw Alejandro, Jason Derulo, Enrique Iglesias, and others.
The complaint highlights the use of the specific riddim in more than 1,800 songs released from 1995 to 2021.
The defense, made up of a coalition of artists and supported by the law firm Pryor Cashman LLP, has presented various arguments seeking to dismiss the lawsuit.
Their argument revolves around the idea that Steely & Clevie are trying to monopolize fundamental and universal aspects of reggaeton. Specifically, they argue that the rhythm, in its basic nature, cannot be subject to copyright.
The plaintiffs assert that their riddim “Fish Market” is not just a rhythm but a unique combination of musical elements.
This lawsuit could set a significant precedent in the music industry.
Steely & Clevie originally filed their lawsuit in 2021 and expanded it in April 2023.
However, on August 3rd, the Jamaican production company rejected five motions submitted by various accused artists.
More than 1,800 songs with billions of views on platforms like YouTube are mentioned in this legal battle. Among these musical hits are the remix of “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi with Justin Bieber and Daddy Yankee, “Échame La Culpa” in collaboration with Demi Lovato, “Dame Tu Cosita” by El Chombo with Cutty Ranks, as well as Daddy Yankee’s “Dura,” “Rompe,” “Gasolina,” and “Shaky Shaky.” Also included are DJ Snake’s “Taki Taki” with Selena Gomez, Ozuna, and Cardi B, Pitbull’s “We Are One (Ole Ola),” and Bad Bunny and Drake’s “MIA.
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