Bad Bunny Clashes with emPawa as Court Tosses Joeboy Lawsuit, Demands $465K Payback

Puerto Rican global star Bad Bunny and crew are asking a federal court to order Mr. Eazi's record label, emPawa Africa, to cover $456,312 in legal fees after they defeated a copyright lawsuit over Joeboy's "Empty My Pocket" (released via emPawa) and its use in Bad Bunny's “Enséñame a Bailar.” 

According to records, emPawa Africa began seeking an amicable resolution with Bad Bunny’s label, Rimas Music, as early as May 2022, requesting proper credit and compensation for the alleged use of the work.

​The dispute traces back to 2023, when emPawa Africa raised concerns that Bad Bunny had used elements of “Empty My Pocket” by Joeboy in his track Enséñame a Bailar without proper authorization. The issue simmered for a while, but it wasn’t until May 2, 2025, that the situation escalated legally when the producer Dera—credited on Joeboy’s song—filed a lawsuit. His argument was clear: even if permission had been granted, it allegedly came from the wrong party, meaning the sample was never properly cleared.

From the start, Bad Bunny’s legal team strongly rejected the claim. They maintained that permission had indeed been secured and that it came from producer Lakinso, whom they believed had the legitimate authority to approve the use. According to their defense, the situation was not a case of unauthorized sampling but rather a misunderstanding over rights ownership and who exactly held the power to grant clearance. This difference in interpretation became the core of the legal battle, drawing attention from both the Latin and African music industries.

Public Opinion Divided Over Alleged Music Similarities, As the conversation around Joeboy and Bad Bunny gains attention, Nigerians have shared mixed reactions on whether the issue is a case of copyright violation or creative coincidence.

Comfort Daniel, a 300-level student of Communication and Media Studies, believes Joeboy is justified in raising concerns.

“Artists work hard to create original music. If another artist uses it without permission, it’s a violation. Even if it wasn’t intentional, accountability is important—there should be compensation or settlement.”

On a more neutral stance, Blessing Kontongs, a 400-level Health Education student, suggests the similarity may not be deliberate.

“Music today is global. Artists are exposed to similar sounds. Instead of punishment, both sides should resolve it professionally—maybe through credits or royalties.”

For Balkisu Usman, a 300-level Communication and Media Studies student, the issue reflects a larger industry dynamic.

“This looks like a smaller artist standing up to a global superstar. Joeboy taking action shows that no artist is above the law, and it could promote fairness in the music industry.”

As the case dragged into late 2025 and early 2026, momentum began to collapse on the plaintiff’s side. emPawa Africa, which had been central to the dispute, reportedly lost its legal team, causing the case to stall. With proceedings no longer moving forward and key representation absent, the court ultimately stepped in. In March 2026, a judge dismissed the case entirely, effectively ending the lawsuit without a ruling on the deeper sampling claims.

The request, filed on 23 March, follows a United States federal court’s dismissal of the case with prejudice earlier in the month, effectively ending the dispute without ruling on the core allegation of copyright infringement.

Now, in the aftermath, Bad Bunny—alongside Rimas Entertainment and The Orchard—is pushing back. Arguing that they were dragged into a costly and unnecessary legal fight, they are demanding reimbursement of $465,612 in legal fees. Their lawyers, who reportedly charge between $555 and $680 per hour, claim to have spent hundreds of hours defending the case. What began as a dispute over music rights has now evolved into a battle over financial accountability, raising broader questions about due diligence, ownership clarity, and the risks of high-stakes litigation in the global music industry.

Credits:

Reported by Grace Misimadji/Gratefulness Galadima

Edit and insert; Ibrahim Isaac

“As debates continue, many await an official response from the artist. Promise to keep you updated; share your opinion👇.