A Puerto Rican court has dismissed key claims in the lawsuit filed against global reggaeton superstar Bad Bunny by his former girlfriend, who alleged he used her voice without permission on his hit track ‘Pa Ti’.
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The Supreme Court of Puerto Rico has ruled in favour of reggaeton king Bad Bunny, dismissing several legal claims brought against him by his former girlfriend, Carliz De La Cruz Hernández.
For fans of the Grammy-winning artiste — whose real name is Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio — this is certainly good news. The case, which had been drawing attention across Latin music circles and beyond, centred on allegations that Bad Bunny illegally used his ex’s voice on his popular love song Pa Ti, without obtaining her consent.
What Was the Case About?
Carliz De La Cruz Hernández had taken the matter to court, claiming that her voice was sampled or featured on the romantic track without her knowledge or approval. Pa Ti (which translates to “For You” in English) is one of Bad Bunny’s more tender offerings — quite the contrast from his usual hard-hitting trap and reggaeton bangers.
The lawsuit raised interesting questions about intellectual property, consent, and the use of personal recordings in music — issues that are increasingly relevant in today’s digital age, where a voice note or casual recording can easily find its way into a studio session.
The Court’s Decision
Puerto Rico’s highest court stepped in and dismissed the core claims of the lawsuit, effectively giving Bad Bunny a significant legal victory. While the full details of the ruling continue to unfold, the dismissal signals that the court did not find sufficient legal grounds to hold the singer liable on the major allegations presented.
Why This Matters Beyond Puerto Rico
Here in Nigeria, where music is serious business — from Afrobeats to Amapiano — this kind of case should ring a bell for our artistes and their management teams. How many times have we heard stories of producers using someone’s hook without credit, or a featured artiste’s vocals appearing on a track without a proper agreement?
The Bad Bunny case is a reminder that in the global music industry, consent and contracts are everything. Whether you are Burna Boy recording at a Lagos studio or a rising act in Owerri, always — and we mean always — document every creative contribution. Get that paper signed.
Bad Bunny: Still On Top
Despite the legal drama, Bad Bunny remains one of the most-streamed artistes in the world. His influence cuts across Latin America, the United States, Europe, and increasingly, Africa. His blend of raw emotion and street-level storytelling is something Nigerian music lovers can deeply relate to — it is not so different from what our own Wizkid or Davido does with Afrobeats.
As the legal dust settles, one thing is clear — Bad Bunny is not going anywhere. The court has spoken, and for now, Pa Ti plays on.
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