Reggae legend Max Romeo files lawsuit claming £6million in unpaid royalties
nme.comMax Romeo has filed a lawsuit against Universal Music Group (UMG) and PolyGram Records over alleged unpaid royalties dating back to 1976.In a DancehallMag report, the legendary reggae artist claimed he had not received any royalties from the licensing or sampling of his music for 50 years.
He is specifically suing over two albums, ‘War Ina Babylon’ (1976) and ‘Reconstruction’ (1977). Both albums were produced with the late Lee ‘Scratch’ Perry and his band The Upsetters.Romeo’s music has been used in numerous songs and films.
Most recently, the Yardie film (directed by Idris Elba) used ‘War Ina Babylon’ in its soundtrack, reportedly with no compensation.
Romeo’s team have claimed after Yardie‘s release, there were extra re-pressings of ‘War Ina Babylon’, totalling up to over one million copies being sold.The use of ‘Chase The Devil’ was also challenged in the lawsuit.
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