Bad Bunny's Ex is Suing Him for $40M: Rapper's Famous Catchphrase 'Unauthorized?'

Bad Bunny's Ex is Suing Him for $40M: Rapper's Famous Catchphrase 'Unauthorized?'
Emma McIntyre/Getty Images for The Recording Academy

Bad Bunny was in a long-term relationship that ended pretty badly, which served as the inspiration for his chart-topping music.

According to reports, the very same girlfriend with whom he has broken up is now suing him for $40 million, alleging that he used her voice recording without her permission.

"Bad Bunny Baby" are three words that fans associate with the Puerto Rican artist, it is now closely tied to his music and it's a catchphrase everyone knows by heart.

Apparently, that's his ex's voice. Her name is Carluz De La Cruz Hernandez, and she claims that him using her voice recording without her permission constitutes to a violation of moral rights under the United States copyright law.

Hernandez' breathy voice can be heard on Bad Bunny's hit songs "Pa Ti" and "Dos Mil 16." Both songs are massively successful and are considered as fan-favorites.

As per the Associated Press, "Pa Ti" has received more than 355 million views on YouTube and has been reproduced more than 235 million times on Spotify.

"Dos Min 16" on the other hand has over 60 million views on YouTube and 280 million reproductions on Spotify.

'Bad Bunny Baby'

Hernandez' claims also note that the rapper using her voice has caused her distress.

He is one of the most popular Latin music artists and his music is played everywhere, which only adds to her anxiety.

"Since then, thousands of people have commented directly on Carliz's social media networks, as well as every time she goes to a public place, about the 'Bad Bunny, baby.'"

Aside from her rapper ex-boyfriend, Hernandez also sued his manager, Noah Kamil Assad Byrne, and his label, Rimas Entertainment.

Sweet Turned Sour

According to The Guardian, Bad Bunny and Hernandez became a couple back in 2011 and have worked together back when they were in college.

In 2015, Hernandez recorded the now-popular phrase "Bad Bunny Baby" using her phone as per the request of the rapper.

She claims that he used her voice recording without legal authorization and without credit.

Their relationship ended the following year just a few months after Bad Bunny asked Hernandez to marry him.

However, it was not meant to be. Bad Bunny pursued his music career and signed with Rimas Entertainment in April while Hernandez entered the University of Puerto Rico's law school.

Prior to releasing his album, Hernandez claimed that a representative on behalf of Bad Bunny reached out to her and offered her $2,000 to buy the recording of her voice.

Before she could reach a decision and deal with Bad Bunny's label and representative, "Un Verano Sin Ti" came out, and it included her voice without her consent.

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