Bad Bunny wins dismissal in lawsuit over alleged uncleared sample on Un Verano Sin Ti song

A pop hit meets a legal storm

Fans around the world loved the smooth rhythm of “Enséñame a Bailar.” The song appears on the hugely popular album Un Verano Sin Ti. But behind the catchy beat, a legal fight quietly started brewing. A Nigerian producer claimed a part of the track sounded very familiar.

That producer, known as Dera, believed the song used a sample from his earlier work. The music he pointed to was “Empty My Pocket,” a work produced by Dera and later recorded by Afropop artist Joeboy. Soon, what began as a musical concern turned into a courtroom battle.

The claim that sparked the dispute

In 2023, Dera publicly accused the global superstar of using his music without permission. He said “Enséñame a Bailar” contained a sample taken from the beat he produced years earlier. The claim caught attention because sampling disputes have shaken the music industry before.

Dera worked on the original track for Joeboy under the African label emPawa Africa. According to his claim, the sound used in the hit song closely matched his production. That allegation pushed the issue beyond social media chatter. Eventually, lawyers filed a lawsuit.

From music complaint to lawsuit

The dispute officially entered court last year. Dera and emPawa Africa filed a lawsuit in federal court. They argued that the hit track used their music without a proper license.

Legal documents focused on the alleged sample from “Empty My Pocket.” Sampling means using part of an existing recording inside a new song. In many cases, artists must secure permission and pay fees before they can proceed. The lawsuit aimed to prove that the step had not been taken.

Bad Bunny’s team pushes back

The defense quickly challenged the accusation. Lawyers representing the artist insisted the music rights were already cleared. They argued their client legally purchased permission to use the sound in question.

Attorney Karen L. Stetson from GrayRobinson spoke publicly about the case. She said her client had purchased the rights to use the music at issue and was never given evidence supporting the plaintiffs’ contrary ownership claims. According to her statement, the defense believed the lawsuit lacked solid evidence. That claim set the stage for a tense legal standoff.

A sudden twist in the case

The case took a surprising turn early this year. Dera and his label’s legal team stepped away from the lawsuit. The law firm Manatt, Phelps and Phillips LLP said it had ended its relationship with its clients.

The lawyers described the split as caused by “irreparable differences.” That phrase usually means serious disagreements between lawyers and clients. Without legal representation, the case quickly lost momentum. Court progress slowed almost immediately after the separation.

When the lawyers stepped aside

Once the attorneys withdrew, the case stalled. Lawsuits often rely heavily on legal teams to handle filings and court deadlines. Without that support, moving forward becomes difficult.

The situation soon affected both parties involved in the claim. emPawa Africa was eventually removed entirely from the lawsuit. That left Dera as the main remaining plaintiff in the case. The legal fight was already unraveling.

Court notices start piling up

A federal judge soon addressed the growing silence from the plaintiff’s side. Court records showed that Dera had not filed new paperwork. He also did not appear to be pushing the case forward.

Because of that inactivity, the court issued a deadline. The judge gave him until March 6 to continue the legal process. Missing that deadline could end the case entirely. The clock was now ticking.

A deadline that changed everything

March 6 arrived with no new filings from Dera. According to reports, he did not resume the prosecution process. Without the plaintiff’s action, the lawsuit could not continue.

Courts require both sides to pursue their claims actively. When a party stops participating, judges often dismiss the case. That is exactly what happened here. The lack of follow-up sealed the case’s fate.

The judge’s final decision

After Dera missed the March 6 deadline, Judge Otis D. Wright II dismissed the lawsuit on March 9, 2026. The decision effectively ended the legal challenge against the artist. It also ended this particular lawsuit without a substantive ruling on whether the disputed music had been used without proper authorization.

Dismissal meant the defendants won the case by default. The court did not rule on the musical similarities themselves. Instead, the ruling came because the plaintiff failed to continue the process. In legal terms, the matter was finished.

Why music sampling gets tricky

Sampling is a common tool in modern music. Producers often reuse pieces of older songs to create new sounds. When done legally, it helps connect different musical eras and cultures.

But the process requires proper permission and licensing. Rights holders must approve the use of their recordings. If that step is skipped, lawsuits can follow quickly. That is why disputes over samples appear often in music headlines.

Fun Fact: Bad Bunny’s album Un Verano Sin Ti became the first Spanish-language album ever nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards (2023).

What this means for artists

This case highlights the importance of documentation in the music business. Artists and producers must keep clear records of ownership. Those details become crucial if questions appear later.

The ruling also shows how legal cases depend on consistent participation. Even strong claims can collapse if they are not pursued in court. Deadlines, filings, and evidence all matter. Missing those steps can end a lawsuit entirely.

Fun Fact: The song Enséñame a Bailar blends dem bow rhythms, a style closely linked to reggaeton, which itself originated from Caribbean influences and has roots in Jamaican dancehall.

Bad Bunny’s side celebrates win

Following the ruling, the defense shared its response publicly. Attorney Karen L. Stetson said the result confirmed their earlier stance. She stated that the music rights had been properly purchased from the start.

Stetson also said the plaintiffs chose to abandon the case. According to her, they stepped back when required to present evidence. That decision led to the defendants’ dismissal and final judgment. The statement framed the outcome as a clear legal victory.

Curious how Bad Bunny’s lyrics sparked reactions beyond music? Take a quick look at the full story.

The music keeps playing

Despite the courtroom drama, the album that included the song remains hugely popular. Fans continue streaming its tracks worldwide. The music industry moves fast, and new hits appear every week.

For listeners, the legal fight may feel like a side story behind the rhythm. For artists and producers, though, it carries a powerful lesson. Protecting creative work requires both talent and careful business moves. In the end, the beat goes on.

Want to see how Jimmy Kimmel reacted to the halftime buzz? Check out what he had to say.

Do you think this was a real case of music sampling gone wrong or just a misunderstanding? Share your thoughts below and don’t forget to like.

This slideshow was made with AI assistance and human editing.

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