Home / Arts and Entertainment / Reggaeton Rhythm Copyright Battle Heads to Jury
Reggaeton Rhythm Copyright Battle Heads to Jury
2 Jul
Summary
- Judge refused to rule on dembow rhythm origin, sending case to jury.
- Lawsuit claims over 1,500 songs copied Steely & Clevie's 'Fish Market'.
- Millions in damages and genre impact are at stake.
A federal judge has deferred a decision on whether the reggaeton duo Steely & Clevie originated the genre's signature dembow rhythm. The ruling means a jury will decide the core issue in a sweeping copyright lawsuit. The suit, filed by Cleveland "Clevie" Browne and the heirs of Wycliffe "Steely" Johnson, claims their 1989 track "Fish Market" is the copyrightable source of the dembow percussion.
Defendants, including major artists like Bad Bunny, Karol G, Pitbull, and Drake, along with major music companies, argue the rhythm exists in earlier musical forms. Judge André Birotte Jr. stated that conflicting expert testimony on the rhythm's originality and commonality presents a factual dispute, best resolved by a jury. The case will proceed to discovery on infringement claims unless a settlement is reached.
This litigation carries significant implications, with hundreds of millions of dollars in potential damages and concerns about its disruptive effect on the booming reggaeton genre. Experts suggest a win for Steely & Clevie could grant unprecedented control over an entire musical style.
