Bad Bunny is being sued for $16million (£11.9million) by a woman who claims he sampled her voice without permission.
- Read More: Bad Bunny – ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ review: ode to homeland is a new high for the Puerto Rican star
The filing was made against the Puerto Rican rapper and singer by Tainaly Serrano Rivera. Filed in Puerto Rico, the suit alleges that she can be heard on two of his hit songs: ‘Solo de Mi’ from his 2018 debut album ‘X 100pre’, and ‘EoO’ from his 2025 record ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’.
On both of the tracks, Rivera says she can be heard saying “Mira, puñeta, no me quiten el perreo“, translating to “Listen, damn it, don’t take away my vibe“. This audio clip, she claims, was something that she recorded back in 2018 for La Paciencia – Bad Bunny’s producer, with whom she went to college.
Her legal team has claimed that “the purpose of the audio was not explained” to her at the time (as per Billboard), and she was not told that “her identity would be used and commercially exploited.”
“No compensation of any kind was discussed,” they continued. “No contract or agreement was signed, nor was any license or authorisation granted.”
Also in the suit, Rivera accuses Bad Bunny and his collaborators for improperly using the vocal sample during his San Juan residency shows last year.
She is seeking $16million (£11.9million) in damages from Bad Bunny (real name Benito Martínez Ocasio), La Paciencia (Roberto Rosado) and the Rimas Entertainment record label – claiming the use of her voice is in violation of the right of publicity statute in Puerto Rico.
As highlighted by Rolling Stone, Jose Marxuach Fagot and Joanna Bocanegra Ocasio are the attorneys representing Rivera in the case, and are the same legal team that led a lawsuit against Bad Bunny in 2023. The latter regarded a lawsuit filed by the rapper’s ex-girlfriend Carliz De La Cruz Hernández, who claimed that he used her voice on two tracks without permission.
The outlet shares that the case went to federal court, before it was then remanded back to state court. A final resolution is still pending. NME has reached out to a representative for Bad Bunny for comment.
Bad Bunny’s ‘Debí Tirar Más Fotos’ placed Number Five on NME’s list of the Best Albums Of 2025, and was described as a record where “the Puerto Rican superstar makes every shot count.”
“It’s a breathtaking extravaganza in every way: from his joyful marshalling of salsa, bomba, plena, reggaeton and myriad other Latin styles and genres, to the scale of the storytelling,” the entry read.
“Heartbreak for the ages on ‘Baile Inolvidable’, tender regret on diaspora anthem ‘DtMF’, sly and referential digs at exes on ‘Bokete’ and ‘Turista’, and sharp, sombre political observation on ‘Lo Que Le Pasó a Hawaii’. A masterwork by an artist at the peak of his powers.”
His single ‘Baile Inolvidable’ also reached the Number 10 slot on the list of the Best Songs of the year, and was celebrated as “one of his most magnificent torch songs”.
