Let’s be honest: it was only a matter of time before somebody laid a claim to Baauer’s chart-topper/Frankenstein’s monster. 

As The New York Times report, ‘Harlem Shake’ features samples of material by reggaeton artist Hector “El Father” Delgado and Philly rapper Jayson Musson (of defunct hip-hop crew Plastic Little). Both artists have now made copyright claims against Baauer’s label Mad Decent for using the samples without prior permission.

Delgado’s claim relates to 2006 single ‘Maldades’, from which Baauer lifted the voice heard at the start of the song (Baauer has previously said that “the dude in the beginning I got off the Internet, I don’t even know where”). Musson, meanwhile, is responsible for the line “do the Harlem Shake’, swiped from 2001 Plastic Little single ‘Miller Time’.

In Delgado’s words, “It’s almost like they came on my land and built a house”. Musson sounds more laissez-faire – he claims to have personally telephoned Baauer to thank him for “doing something useful with our annoying music” – but is also negotiating a compensation deal with Mad Decent, something he says the label are being “cooperative” about . Despite requests from the Times, Baauer and Mad Decent boss Diplo declined to comment.

In related news, Frank Ocean is being taken to court over channel ORANGE track ‘Lost’. As Pitchfork report, producer Micah Otano alleges that Ocean, ‘Lost’ producer Malay, Universal and Def Jam knowingly copied his song ‘Daylight’. Otano is suing for damages and back royalties, and claims he deserves production credits on the track. Otano is already credited as a co-writer on the track in the liner notes. Click here to trawl through the lawsuit [via AllHipHop]