Prominent Dancehall producer, Cordel ‘Skatta’ Burrell has been sued by another renowned hit maker over the alleged improper use of his classic Riddim.
Andre Tyrell, more popularly known as Rookie is known for creating the highly acclaimed Superstar Riddim in 2001, which featured the likes of Buju Banton, Ce’Cile and most notably, the smash collaboration, Backshot by Lady Saw and Spragga Benz. However, elements of the Superstar Riddim were used by Skatta in the 2011 hit single, Street Hustle that he produced for his Downsound Records protégé, Specialist.
As a result, Tyrell has filed a lawsuit in which he alleges Burrell of copyright infringement and seeking for ‘due remuneration and credit’ for the use of his Riddim in Specialist single while also asking Skatta for a ‘lump sum’ payment as well as future royalties to boot.
Additionally, Rookie insists in the lawsuit that Skatta has breached his moral rights and also failed to 'duly acknowledge or credit my client [Rookie] in respect of his authorship of the Superstar rhythm featured in the Street Hustle song.’
In response to Tyrell’s allegations, Burrell intimated that he decided to produce Street Hustle for Specialist in an effort to boost his budding career after finishing as the runner-up of Magnum Kings and Queens of Dancehall in 2011. Additionally, Burrell maintains that he produced an authentic beat for the single while in the studio.
"If there are elements in the rhythm that sound like Rookie's beats, I didn't know it at the time because I was playing it by ear. Rookie should be glad that a producer of my caliber did something that sounds like his compilation," he told the Jamaica STAR.
Skatta revealed that he was made aware of Rookie’s allegations months ago by the co-produced of Street Hustle, Shady but did not initially profit off the single.
"We were not making any money from it then, it was just playing on the radio. I decided to give him a percentage for the hell of it. It was later released on iTunes and I don't know if he checked to see if we gave him credit or what, next thing I see is a long letter from a lawyer,” he said.
Meanwhile, Skatta believe that Rookie should have hammered out his issues about the matter in person while stating that Tyrell should be grateful that his most successful production has received such press over a decade later.
“He should feel glorified that a hit in 2012 has been influenced by his rhythm. Instead of suing me and Downsound Records, he should be thanking us. It is ridiculous to have taken it so far. I feel like I am going to go to court, just for the hell of it."
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