Cutty Ranks Sues Publisher Over Unpaid Royalties from Viral Hit ‘Dame Tu Cosita’
Jamaican dancehall artist Cutty Ranks is suing Payday Publishing, formerly known as Ultra Music Publishing, alleging he is owed at least $3 million in unpaid royalties from the 2018 hit song “Dame Tu Cosita.” The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, claims the publisher failed to remit agreed-upon royalties despite the song’s significant success.
Origins of ‘Dame Tu Cosita’ and its Viral Resurgence
Cutty Ranks and El Chombo originally wrote and recorded “Dame Tu Cosita” for the 1997 album Tales from the Crypt 2. The song experienced a massive resurgence in popularity two decades later, becoming a social media sensation thanks to a viral video featuring a dancing alien. In 2018, French label Juston Records commissioned El Chombo to create an extended version of the track, which was later remixed with contributions from Karol G and Pitbull.
Chart Success and Licensing Agreements
The revamped “Dame Tu Cosita” achieved considerable chart success, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and peaking at No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2018. Around this time, Cutty Ranks entered into licensing agreements with Payday Publishing, expecting the company to administer his composition rights and remit at least 75% of the royalties.
Allegations Against Payday Publishing
According to the lawsuit, Payday Publishing has not fulfilled its obligations under the licensing agreements. Cutty Ranks’ lawyer, Catherine Gibson, stated in the filing that the publisher “has failed to remit such sums and has failed to provide an accounting of such sums.” The artist is seeking at least $3 million in damages for breach of contract, along with reimbursement for legal fees.
Payday Publishing’s Response and Recent History
As of Wednesday, March 25, 2026, a representative for Payday Publishing had not responded to requests for comment. The company rebranded from Ultra Music Publishing last year following a trademark dispute with Sony, which acquired Moxey’s Ultra Records label in 2022.
Broader Copyright Disputes Surrounding ‘Dame Tu Cosita’
This is not the first legal challenge involving “Dame Tu Cosita.” In 2021, Jamaican duo Steely & Clevie sued El Chombo, alleging copyright infringement related to their 1989 track “Fish Market.” That case has expanded to include claims that Steely & Clevie invented the dembow rhythm and that over 150 artists, including Bad Bunny, Drake, Daddy Yankee, Luis Fonsi, and Justin Bieber, have unlawfully copied “Fish Market.” A ruling in that ongoing case is expected soon.
Cutty Ranks’ Ongoing Concerns
Cutty Ranks has also expressed concerns about proper credit for his original contribution to the song, stemming from his 1991 hit “The Stopper.” He contends that his 1997 contribution was used without adequate recognition. He noted that this dispute highlights a broader pattern of reggaeton artists repurposing dancehall tracks without proper acknowledgement or compensation.
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