Chaka Demus and Pliers to Sue Universal Music Group ...US$10 Mill

Chaka Demus (L) and Pliers (R)

Chaka Demus and Pliers ..veterans in the dancehall reggae business never seemed to be the kind of role models that other artiste would like to looked up to.. well maybe Devonte and Tanto metro should... but I keep hearing the likes of Shabba, Bob Marley, Bounty, Beenie, Ninja Man etc as the role models of artiste. I think Chaka and Piers are good role models in the industry I cant remember hearing them involved in any mix-up... These guys have been so nice that Universal Music Group have allegedly siphoned off millions in royalties from the group without a complaint from them ..until now. These guys are taking on the giant Universal Music Group, suing them for at least US$10 million.


According to ABC news

"Chaka Demus and Pliers, the reggae act best known for their nineties hit "Murder She Wrote" are suing their record company for more than $10 million in unpaid royalties and trademark infringement.

The suit, filed this week by lawyers for Jamaican-born stars, claims Universal Music Group, misappropriated and diverted monies owed to the act that had major hits, including Murder She Wrote,' 'Tease Me' and 'Twist and Shout.'

The suit was filed at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan under the artists' real names John Taylor (aka Chaka Demus) and Everton Bonner (aka Pliers).

The artists claimed in the suit that they signed a worldwide recording deal with Universal-owned label Island Records in October 22 1992, which allowed the artists to retain all rights to the trademark Chaka Demus and Pliers.

It said Universal Music had "withheld the monies and royalties payments" from the inception the contract.

Not only are the two reggae stars asking for a court award of more than $10 million, but also demanding an injunction ordering Universal Music to cease the sale, production and performances of the their music."

We hereby pledge our support for Mr. Demus and Mr Pliers and other artiste should take a close look at what is happening here.