Dancehall artiste Lynx Unruly is demanding recognition and threatening to pursue a copyright complaint over claims that Byron Messia borrowed lyrics from his 2021 recording, ‘Dat Bad’.
The Brooklyn-based entertainer, whose given name is Damion Oakley, alleges that the recently released track of the same name by Byron Messia, Ayetian and Fyga uses material from his earlier song without permission.
Lynx Unruly said his recording was produced by New York-based Darkaz Productions in 2021. The newer ‘Dat Bad’, released on September 25, 2026, carries production credits for 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 to create my own style and metaphors and to see someone just take my creative content and want to make it theirs it’s makes me feel very disgruntled,” he said.
Lynx Unruly plans to retain an intellectual property attorney and says he is considering approaching digital streaming platforms to seek action against the newer recording.
“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.
His allegation has not been established by a court. Dancehall Mag was unable to get a response from Byron Messia, his collaborators or the producers.
For Lynx Unruly, the dispute concerns a song he says he has spent years promoting across several markets.
“That song is big in Gambia, I did shows in Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia, and the reaction has always been great. This is something I have been doing for a while now, I have done multiple shows in New York where people see the impact of my song,” he said.
He also 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 performed the song during a segment of Smile Jamaica on Television Jamaica.
Despite raising the possibility of compensation, the entertainer insists that acknowledgement is his primary objective.
“I just want the truth to come out and get acknowledgement for my IP,” he said.
Originally from Kingston and St Andrew, Lynx Unruly has worked in music and entertainment for more than a decade. His credits include an appearance as himself in the 2004 drama Bashment, while his musical catalogue includes ‘Fire Escape’, ‘Caliente’, ‘Bebecita’ and ‘Gala Gala’.
The entertainer, who identifies dancehall veteran Mad Cobra as his close personal relative, has performed across the Caribbean, Latin America, Africa, Europe and the United States. He is also fine-tuning a project intended to showcase his work in pop music.
For now, however, his attention is firmly on ‘Dat Bad’—and securing the recognition he believes his earlier recording deserves.
