Shakira denies plagiarism allegation in Spanish court

A 2017 complaint by Livan Rafael Castellanos alleges that the famous singer copied melody and lyrics from his own song

MADRID: Colombian singers Shakira and Carlos Vives denied during an appearance Wednesday at a Madrid court that they plagiarised part of their Grammy award-winning hit La Bicicleta.

Music publisher MDRB filed a complaint in 2017 in a commercial court in Madrid on behalf of Livan Rafael Castellanos, a Cuban singer known as Livam who alleges that the catchy tune copies parts of the melody and lyrics from his own song called Yo te quiero tanto (I love you so much).

Colombian singer Shakira. PHOTO: DOPE WOPE

"I had never heard it in my life," Shakira, 42, who lives in Spain, told the court when asked about Livam's song.

Vives, 57, who composed Yo te quiero tanto with music producer Andres Castro, also said he did not know the song or Livam.

"La Bicicleta" - which means The Bicycle in English - won two of the three biggest Grammy Latino awards for 2016, including song and record of the year.

PHOTO: REUTERS

In the song Shakira and Vives sing que te sueno y que te quiero tanto (I dream of you and love you so much), while Livam says yo te quiero, yo te quiero tanto (I love you, I love you so much).

"There is nothing similar about it, not the harmony, not the theme," said Shakira, who hummed several fragments of her song during her court appearance.

She said Yo te quiero tanto is a folk song which pays tribute to Colombia while Livam's is a "Dominican salsa" which "tries to be a folk song" but is "a mess".

PHOTO: NBC LATINO

Livam, who works in Madrid as a composer and producer, told the court that Castro had access to his song through his representative. His complaint is also against Castro and Sony music.

"Its like they are touching one of my children...they are stealing from me," Livam said, on the verge on tears.

Shakira, who lives in Barcelona with FC Barcelona defender Gerard Pique and their two sons, will appear in court in Spain again in June for allegedly evading 14.5 million euros ($16.4 million), a charge the superstar singer's defence lawyers deny.

PHOTO: REUTERS

With her mix of Latin and Arabic rhythms and rock influences, Shakira is one of the biggest stars from Latin America, scoring major global hits with songs such as Hips Don't Lie and Whenever, Wherever.

She has sold more than 60 million records.

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