Episode Details

A landmark copyright battle over the iconic dembow riddim — the rhythmic backbone of reggaeton and dancehall — has ended in a major win for the music community. The estate of original producer Wycliffe “Steely” Johnson sued Universal Music and Warner Chappell, claiming ownership of the beat used by legends like Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny, and even Ed Sheeran. After nearly five years, a judge dismissed the case, ruling that rhythms can’t be copyrighted as standalone works — especially when they’ve been woven into thousands of songs since the ‘90s. While the plaintiffs’ claim was ultimately rejected, the case raises big questions about how copyright law handles foundational musical elements, and whether similar battles could unfold for other beats in the future.

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