3 weeks ago
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Jamaican dancehall artist Cutty Ranks (born Philip Thomas) has filed a lawsuit against Payday Publishing, claiming the company underpaid him by at least $3 million in royalties from the global hit “Dame Tu Cosita.”
In January Ranks first told the Jamaica Gleaner that he retained a female lawyer to “wage war” in the ongoing case against Panamanian artiste El Chombo and Juston Records. “I am still battling them because all now I haven’t been properly compensated… that’s why I have retained a new lawyer, so let’s see what she can do,” the report stated.
He then took to social media in an Onstage video retracting those statements.
However, according to the new lawsuit, Ranks signed agreements with Payday (formerly Ultra Music Publishing) around the time of the song’s revival. The deals allegedly guaranteed him at least 75% of royalties in exchange for the company administering his composition rights. Ranks claims Payday failed to pay the agreed amounts and did not provide proper accounting statements.
Originally recorded in 1997 by Ranks and El Chombo for Cuentos de la Cripta 2, the song saw a massive resurgence in 2018 after a viral video featuring a dancing alien took over social media. The revived version—commissioned by France’s Juston Records—became a worldwide hit, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Latin Songs chart and No. 36 on the Billboard Hot 100. A remix featuring Karol G and Pitbull further boosted its success.
According to Billboard, after issuing a notice of default in 2024 with no resolution, Ranks is now suing for breach of contract, seeking damages of at least $3 million along with legal fees.
Payday Publishing has not publicly responded. The company recently rebranded after losing a trademark dispute with Sony, which acquired Ultra Records in 2022.
El Chombo is not named in the lawsuit.
Dame Tu Cosita is also part of the sweeping lawsuit filed by Jamaican duo Steely & Clevie alleging infringement on their 1989 track “Fish Market,” along with 1800 other reggae songs.
English (US) ·