10 million dollars. That is the sum Chaka Demus and Pliers are claiming in royalties from their former record company, Universal Music Group.
The two Jamaican artists' lawyers have filed a suit against Universal in a New York court. The dispute concerns unpaid royalties and the fraudulent use of the "Chaka Demus & Pliers" brand.
The duo had in fact signed a contract with Island, a Universal subsidiary, in 1992, which stipulated that the two artists remained owners of their rights and their brand worldwide. It should be remembered that at the time, their album "Tease me" had enjoyed enormous international success.
Besides the royalties, Chaka Demus and Pliers intend to ask Universal to stop selling and distributing their music.