Bad Bunny Faces $16 Million Lawsuit Over Unauthorized Vocal Sample
Puerto Rican superstar Bad Bunny is embroiled in a legal battle after being sued for $16 million (£11.9 million) by Tainaly Serrano rivera, who alleges the artist sampled her voice without permission on two of his hit songs. The lawsuit, filed in Puerto Rico, adds another layer to the growing scrutiny surrounding the use of vocal samples in the music industry and raises vital questions about artist rights and compensation.
The Allegations: A Voice Without Consent
According to the lawsuit, Serrano Rivera’s voice is prominently featured on both “Solo de Mi” from Bad Bunny’s 2018 debut album, X 100pre, and “EoO” from his critically acclaimed 2025 album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos. The specific vocal clip in question, “Mira, puñeta, no me quiten el perreo” – translating to “Listen, damn it, don’t take away my vibe” – was originally recorded in 2018 for Bad Bunny’s producer, Roberto Rosado, known as La Paciencia, while Serrano Rivera was a college student.
The core of the claim centers around a lack of consent and compensation. Serrano Rivera’s legal team argues that she was never informed about the intended use of her voice,nor was she offered any financial remuneration for its commercial exploitation. Billboard reports that the legal team asserts the purpose of the recording was never explained, and she was unaware her identity would be used in a commercial context.
Expanding Claims: Residency Shows and Right of Publicity
The lawsuit extends beyond the album recordings, accusing Bad Bunny and his collaborators of improperly utilizing the vocal sample during his San Juan residency performances last year. This broadens the scope of the alleged infringement and increases the potential damages sought.
Serrano Rivera is seeking $16 million in damages from Bad Bunny (Benito Martínez Ocasio), La Paciencia (Roberto Rosado), and Rimas Entertainment, the record label behind the artist.The claim is based on a violation of Puerto Rico’s right of publicity statute, which protects individuals from the unauthorized commercial use of their likeness, including their voice. This legal principle recognizes that individuals have a proprietary right in their identity and should be compensated for its use by others for profit.
A Pattern of Vocal Sample Disputes?
This isn’t the first time Bad Bunny has faced legal challenges related to the use of voices in his music. Rolling Stone highlights that the same legal team – Jose Marxuach Fagot and Joanna Bocanegra Ocasio – previously represented Bad Bunny’s ex-girlfriend, Carliz De La cruz Hernández, in a 2023 lawsuit. Hernández alleged that Bad Bunny used her voice on two tracks without her consent. that case initially went to federal court before being remanded back to state court, and a final resolution is still pending.
The recurrence of these disputes raises concerns about the practices surrounding vocal sample clearance within Bad Bunny’s camp and the broader music industry. It underscores the importance of obtaining explicit consent and providing fair compensation to individuals whose voices are incorporated into commercial recordings.
Bad Bunny’s Recent Success and Critical Acclaim
Despite the legal challenges, Bad Bunny continues to dominate the music scene. His 2025 album, Debí Tirar Más Fotos, was lauded by critics, earning a place at Number Five on NME’s Best Albums of 2025 list.The album was praised for its innovative blend of Latin genres and its compelling storytelling.
NME described the album as “a breathtaking extravaganza,” highlighting Bad Bunny’s masterful ability to seamlessly integrate salsa, bomba, plena, reggaeton, and other Latin styles.The single “Baile Inolvidable” also achieved notable recognition, securing the Number 10 spot on NME’s Best Songs of the Year list.
The Broader Implications for the Music Industry
This lawsuit is likely to have ripple effects throughout the music industry, prompting artists and labels to re-evaluate their practices regarding vocal sample clearance. The case highlights the need for greater clarity and respect for artists’ rights, particularly in an era where sampling and digital manipulation are commonplace.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the outcome could set a precedent for future cases involving the unauthorized use of vocal samples.It could also lead to stricter regulations and guidelines for obtaining consent and providing compensation to artists whose voices are used in commercial recordings.The music industry will be watching closely as this case progresses, as it has the potential to reshape the landscape of copyright and artist rights.
as of January 11, 2026, representatives for Bad Bunny have yet to issue a formal statement regarding the lawsuit. The case is ongoing, and further developments are expected in the coming months.
