Lynx Unruly wants credit where he believes it is overdue—and says he is prepared to pursue a copyright complaint to get it.
The Brooklyn-based dancehall entertainer has lodged a complaint with distributors, alleging that Byron Messia’s “Dat Bad” uses material from his own 2021 recording of the same name without permission.
Lynx, whose given name is Damion Oakley, says he is preparing to retain an intellectual property attorney as he seeks acknowledgement or compensation.
His original recording was produced by New York-based Darkaz Productions, he said. The newer track, featuring Messia, Ayetian and Tyga, was released on September 25, 2026, with production credited to DJ Mac, RenaBeaztz649 and 1Turkz.
“I’m a talented artist and I take time out to use the 26 letters of the alphabet, wisely thinking out the box, in order to create my own style and metaphors. And to see someone just take my creative content and want to make it theirs; it makes me feel very disgruntled,” Lynx said.
His objection, he maintains, goes beyond the shared title.
“A lot of people in dancehall know that ‘Dat Bad’ is my style, especially with my cadence and flow. What is upsetting is that it is not the first time Byron Messia is involved in something like this,” he said.
Lynx was referring to Jeff Fully Auto’s separate allegation that Messia copied elements of “Big Guns” for his breakout hit “Talibans”. That dispute does not establish infringement in the present matter.
Lynx says he is considering approaching digital streaming platforms to seek action against the newer recording, although he remains open to a financial settlement.
“I have a plan to strike the recording by approaching the DSP, or they can just compensate me. This is copyright infringement, and I don’t want to tear down dem ting but someone needs to contact me soon,” he said.
The infringement claim remains an allegation. Efforts to obtain responses from Messia, his collaborators and the producers were unsuccessful.
For Lynx, the dispute concerns a song he says he has spent years establishing before audiences overseas.
“That song is big in Gambia, I did shows in Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia and the reaction is always great. This is something I have been doing, I have done multiple shows in New York where people see the impact of my song,” he said.
He pointed to a recent performance at Mood Lounge and Club in San José, Costa Rica, where he said he appeared before approximately 8,000 patrons. He also cited a performance of the track on TVJ’s Smile Jamaica.
“A lot of people already know my song,” he insisted.
Originally from Kingston and St Andrew, Lynx has worked in entertainment for more than a decade, with credits including an appearance as himself in the 2004 drama Bashment. His catalogue includes “Fire Escape”, “Caliente”, “Bebecita” and “Gala Gala”.
He is also developing a project intended to showcase his pop credentials. For now, however, “Dat Bad” remains his priority.
“I just want the truth to come out and get acknowledgement for my IP,” he said.
