A significant copyright infringement lawsuit has emerged involving Colombian music sensation Karol G and Universal Music Group (UMG). This legal challenge centers around a track from the singer’s acclaimed album Mañana Será Bonito, which has received widespread recognition and success in the music industry.
The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Miami, accuses producers Ocean Vibes (Jack Hernandez) and Alfr3d Beats (Dick Alfredo Caballero Rodriguez) of copyright infringement. They claim that Karol G and her co-writers unlawfully incorporated essential elements from their earlier song “Punto G,” which was released merely two months prior to the hit “Gatúbela.” This case raises important questions about originality and creative ownership in the music industry.
In their complaint submitted on Wednesday, the legal team for Hernandez and Rodriguez asserted, “By every method of analysis, Gatúbela is a forgery.” They argue that “Gatúbela” shares substantial similarities with their original work that are not merely incidental, but rather fundamental to both compositions. This assertion emphasizes the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the competitive landscape of music creation.
Released in February 2023, Mañana Será Bonito has been a remarkable achievement, garnering critical acclaim and commercial success. It won the prestigious Album of the Year award at the Latin Grammy Awards and became the first all-Spanish language album by a female artist to reach No. 1 on the Billboard 200. The track “Gatúbela” also enjoyed significant popularity, peaking at No. 37 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 4 on the Hot Latin Songs chart, further establishing Karol G’s influence in the music industry.
Hernandez and Rodriguez claimed they “immediately recognized” the striking similarities between “Gatúbela” and their own song, “Punto G.” Notably, a musicologist later confirmed to them that the main synthesizer riff and vocal chorus melody of “Gatúbela” bore “extreme similarity” to the synth melody featured in their earlier track, reinforcing their claims of copyright infringement and highlighting the challenges artists face in protecting their creative works.
According to the expert musicologist’s analysis, the degree of similarity between “Gatúbela” and “Punto G” is described as “one we almost never see,” as noted by the plaintiffs’ attorneys. This statement underscores the gravity of the allegations and the potential implications for Karol G’s credibility as an artist. Such claims could have far-reaching effects on her career, as they raise questions about the originality of her music.
In a surprising turn of events, the lawsuit reveals that one of the producers involved in the creation of Karol G’s song, DJ Maff (Marvin Hawkins Rodriguez), seemingly acknowledged the accusations of copying. The legal documents included screenshots of an alleged Instagram conversation where Alfr3d confronted DJ Maff regarding the similarities. This admission adds a layer of complexity to the case and could influence its outcome significantly.
The legal representatives for Hernandez and Rodriguez claim that DJ Maff shockingly confirmed the similarities by stating “no le digas a nadie” (translated to “don’t tell anybody”), followed by a laughing emoji. This admission suggests a potential acknowledgment of wrongdoing. Furthermore, in an effort to cover up his alleged confession, DJ Maff reportedly deleted both Alfr3d’s comment and his own response from Instagram, raising additional questions about the integrity of the production process.
As of now, representatives for both Karol G and UMG have not provided any immediate comments regarding the ongoing lawsuit. The music industry is closely watching this case, as its outcome could set a precedent for future copyright disputes, influencing how artists navigate the complex landscape of music creation and collaboration.
