Sampled Artists in "Harlem Shake" Seek Compensation

Two artists that were sampled in Baauer's Internet-memesational hit "Harlem Shake" are seeking compensation from the label that released the song, Rolling Stone reports.

Former reggaeton performer Hector Delgado and rapper Jayson Musson both claim that Baauer used elements of their music without their permission in "Harlem Shake." The opening line "Con los terroristas" was a refrain to Delgado's 2006 single "Maldades." The phrase "Do the Harlem Shake" is a line from the 2001 song "Miller Time" by Plastic Little, Musson's former rap group.

Delgado, who is now an evangelical preacher in Puerto Rico, and Musson, who now performs under the name Hennessy Youngman, seek compensation from Mad Decent, the label that released the song last summer. "It's almost like they came on my land and built a house," said Delgado of his sampled line.

The New York electronic musician hasn't commented on either of the claims, though he did note in an interview with The Daily Beast last month that he found Delgado's sample online. His encounter with the Plastic Little song is not clear, though Musson shared that he actually called Baauer to thank him for "doing something useful with our annoying music" after learning of the sample being used.

Delgado's music publisher, Machete Music, and Musson are working on negotiating payment for the samples with Mad Decent. While both parties are pretty mum about specifics, Musson has admitted that Mad Decent have been "more than cooperative" with their demands.

Photo: MTV Hive