Multiple reggaetoneros are being sued for copyright infringement. Among the artists named in a lawsuit by a Jamaican dancehall production house are Daddy Yankee, Karol G, and El Combo. Popstars like Luis Fonsi and Justin Bieber were also brought up in Steely & Clevie Productions’ filing.
According to DanceHallMag, Steely & Clevie Productions’ claimed that many reggaetoneros and popstars illegally used and benefited from elements of their “Fish Market” riddim. The Jamaican dancehall production house originally filed multiple claims before combining their allegations into a single copyright infringement lawsuit. Steely & Clevie’s song was released in 1989, but it became more well-known after being used in Shabba Ranks’ track “Dem Bow.” The lawsuit claims that “Fish Market” was used as a foundation for the beats of reggaeton music’s hits, so many of the genre’s songs and artists are named in the filing.
The lawsuit by Steely & Clevie Productions is divided into three sections. El Chombo, Luis Fonsi, and Daddy Yankee each have their own sections with any other artists, producers, and record labels involved in the alleged infringement under their songs listed as well. El Combo is being sued for his global hit “Dame Tu Cosita.” There was another remix of the song released by Ultra Music that brought Karol G, Pitbull, and Afro Bros into the claim.
In Fonsi’s section, he is being sued for 10 of his songs. Among the tracks listed are his global hit “Despacito” and the “Despacito” remix that features Justin Bieber. Myke Towers, Ozuna, Nicky Jam, Sebastián Yatra, Farruko, and Rauw Alejandro were also mentioned in the claim for featuring on his other hits like “Imposible,” “Vacío,” and “Date La Vuelta.”
Daddy Yankee is being sued for over 40 songs, the most out of the three artists with their own sections in the lawsuit. Many of the Puerto Rican icon’s hits are listed like “Gasolina,” “Rompe,” and “Lo Que Pasó, Pasó,” which also implicated his longtime producers Luny Tunes. From collaborating with Daddy Yankee on his recent hits, Anuel AA, Sech, Wisin, Yandel, Chris Jedi, Gaby Music, and Tainy were also named in the lawsuit.