Singer faces judicial process two years after being accused of using Joeboy’s music stretch without giving due credits
More than two years after the accusation that Bad Bunny would not have credited an Afrobeats artist in his music “Enséñame a dance”a process was finally opened on the situation.
In February 2023, Mr. EAZIfounder of the label EMAWA AFRICAthreatened Bad Bunny with a legal action for copyright violation, stating that the star of reggaeton sample “Empty My Pocket”from Joeboyan artist from the label of Ehaziwithout permission.
For nine months after the release of the Grammy winning album, UN Verano Sin Ti, Mr. EAZI He insisted on a proper assignment of the credits, without success, before making his demand public.
The team of EmpaWa Africa has been trying to resolve this issue amicably since May last year with our legal teams, ”he said Mr. EAZI in a statement. “But the intention of Rhymes Music [gravadora de Bad Bunny] It is clearly blatantly appropriating the work of young African creators for their own benefit, without giving proper credits. ”
On May 2, more than two years after Mr. EAZI make the public fight, the producer of “Empty My Pocket”, Derafiled a lawsuit against Bad Bunnyclaiming that the singer’s team continually “obstructed” attempts to give due credit to Joeboy and Deraaccording to Billboard.
“It is not very common for a music artist of the caliber and sophistication of Bad Bunny use someone else’s music without permission and ignore the person’s efforts to solve the problem, ”said the lawyer Dera, Robert A. Jacobs. “Such an answer is especially surprising when unauthorized use permeates the entire work of the music artist. Unfortunately, these are the circumstances here.”
The team of Bad Bunny argued that the sample was obtained with the permission of the Lakizo Entertainmentwho at some point acted as a distributor of the song. The prolonged battle between Lakizo and Paiwa was reported by Okayplayerwith the music disappearing from streaming services due to the judicial dispute. Regardless of the agreement, the process of Dera claims that Lakizo I did not have the right to release the sample “Empty My Pocket”.
“Despite the cooperation of the authors of the complaint, the defendants created obstructions after receiving the requested information, making it clear that the case would only be resolved through the courts,” wrote the lawyers of Dera.
Article published on May 9, 2025 at Rolling Stone. To read the original in English, click here.
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
