Jamaican Dancehall Singer Shabba Ranks Sues to Claw Back Publishing Catalog

The reggae star wants to reclaim the rights to his Billboard Hot 100 hits, plus the foundational 1990 song “Dem Bow.”.

1990s Jamaican dancehall star Shabba Ranks has launched a court battle over his publishing rights.

Shabba (born Rexton Gordon) sued the publishing arm of reggae label Greensleeves Records on Friday (Sept. 11). The lawsuit, obtained and first reported by Billboard, aims to reclaim compositions including the Billboard Hot 100 hits “Slow and Sexy”, “Housecall”, “Mr.

Labels and publishers have a habit of fighting back when musicians invoke this right, often leading to litigation.

Reps for Shabba and Greensleeves did not immediately return requests for comment on the lawsuit Friday.

Meanwhile, all three major labels are currently trying to get the Supreme Court to reverse a controversial recent ruling that extended the termination right overseas.

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