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Arts·Commotion

The reggaeton lawsuit that could change the genre forever

Intellectual property lawyer Ewan Simpson discusses Steely & Clevie's lawsuit and the implications it could have for the future of the music industry.

Intellectual property lawyer Ewan Simpson weighs in on Steely & Clevie's massive case

CBC Arts ·
60th Annual Grammy Awards – Show – New York, U.S., 28/01/2018 – Luis Fonsi (L) and Daddy Yankee perform "Despacito." REUTERS/Lucas Jackson TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC1A7BBF25C0
Luis Fonsi (L) and Daddy Yankee perform "Despacito" at the 60th Annual Grammy Awards Show in New York, U.S., 28/01/2018. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)

Reggaeton music is currently facing an existential crisis — one that will soon be decided by the court.

The case mounted by Jamaican dancehall reggae production duo Steely & Clevie alleges their 1989 hit Fish Market originated the distinctive dembow rhythm that's become foundational to reggaeton music.

The duo claims Fish Market has been copied or sampled in some 1,800 songs from more than 160 defendants without credit or compensation, according to Rolling Stone magazine.

Ewan Simpson is an intellectual property lawyer and chairman of the Jamaica Reggae Industry Association. He joins guest host Amil Niazi to discuss the lawsuit and the implications it could have for the future of reggaeton and the music industry.

WATCH | Today's episode on YouTube (this segment begins at 16:04): 

You can listen to the full discussion from today's show on CBC Listen or on our podcast, Commotion with Elamin Abdelmahmoud, available wherever you get your podcasts.

Interview with Ewan Simpson produced by Ty Callender.

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