The infectious percussion, known as the dembow rhythm, is the centerpiece of a controversial copyright lawsuit that could affect almost every reggaeton song ever recorde that targets Bad Bunny, Karol G and others.
Considered a “sonic signpost” of the reggaeton genre that plays under almost every track, for the past five years, it’s been the subject of a sprawling lawsuit targeting more than a hundred artists over accusations that dembow was stolen from a single sample of the 1989 song ‘Fish Market’ by reggae duo Steely & Clevie, who claim that nearly 2000 tracks have since infringed copyright.
Attorneys for such defendants as Pitbull, Drake, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, Justin Bieber and three major music companies, have argued that dembow cannot be copyrighted because it is too basic and “exists in countless prior works”.
Hoping for a ruling to end the case, both sides had asked the judge to grant a summary judgment, yet in the latest turn of events, the judge has refused to do so.
The procedural decision sends the lawsuit into a new phase of discovery and towards an eventual jury trial with te defendants now having to decide whether to strike a settlement or fight the highly complex case.
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Author: Al Dente
Photo: WMX Presents