Shabba Ranks has sued to reclaim his publishing catalogue

Shabba Ranks has sued to reclaim his publishing catalogue

The dancehall artist is challenging Greensleeves Records’ claim that his songs were works made for hire.

The dancehall artist is challenging Greensleeves Records’ claim that his songs were works made for hire.

Shabba Ranks has launched a legal battle to reclaim the publishing rights to songs including ‘Slow and Sexy’, ‘Housecall’, ‘Mr. Loverman’ and ‘Let’s Get It On’.

The Jamaican dancehall artist, born Rexton Gordon, has sued the publishing arm of Greensleeves Records over copyright termination – a provision of US law that can allow authors to regain rights decades after they signed them away. The catalogue at issue also includes 1990 track ‘Dem Bow’, whose name is associated with reggaetón’s dembow rhythm.

Billboard, which obtained and first reported the lawsuit, says Ranks notified Greensleeves in 2023 that he intended to exercise that right. Greensleeves rejected the move, citing a 1989 publishing agreement that described the compositions as “works made for hire” – a category excluded from the copyright-termination statute.

Ranks is contesting that provision and is asking a judge to declare his termination effective. His...