In the aftermath of a lawsuit filed by Nigerian producer Dera alongside Mr Eazi’s emPawa Africa, alleging that Bad Bunny’s 2022 track “Enséñame a Bailar” unlawfully sampled or interpolated Joeboy’s “Empty My Pocket” without proper clearance, Bad Bunny’s legal team is now seeking to recover costs following his victory.

According to recent court filings, they have asked a U.S. federal court to order emPawa Africa to pay approximately $456,312 in legal fees, arguing that the label played a central role in initiating and financing the litigation. Notably, the request does not target Dera directly.

The case was thrown out earlier in March 2026 after the plaintiffs failed to continue prosecuting it. A judge cited missed deadlines and a lack of follow-through, effectively ending the dispute in Bad Bunny’s favor.

The dispute itself dates back to 2023, when Mr Eazi publicly accused Bad Bunny and his team of using Joeboy’s work without proper credit or compensation. Bad Bunny’s camp, however, has consistently maintained that the sample in question was legally cleared through another rights holder.