Creator Spotlight with Recording Artist Gringo Loko

by Copyright Alliance

This week, we are pleased to introduce bilingual recording artist Trey Thomason, professionally known as Gringo Loko. In May, he launched the rollout for his first documentary, titled MEMORIA: Every Song Has a Story, which highlights the behind-the-scenes story of his song “Memoria” and the copyright lessons that followed. The story discusses authorship, documentation, copyright registration, platform takedowns, pressure, and the importance of independent artists protecting their work before there is a problem. After reading his spotlight blog, be sure to follow him on Instagram and TikTok, and visit his website to learn more about the documentary.

What was the inspiration behind becoming a creator?

My inspiration came from a lifelong connection to music, storytelling, and identity. I grew up in Texas, where I played drums in a rock band with my brothers. I was influenced by Alternative Rock, Southern hip-hop, country music, and our small-town way of life. Later, traveling to Colombia and spending time in Medellín opened up a completely different creative world for me: reggaeton, salsa, Latin urban culture, and the emotional power of writing in Spanish.

That blend became the foundation of my artist identity as Gringo Loko. My music is really a bridge between Texas and Medellín. It represents where I come from, where I’ve been, and the person I’ve become through those experiences.

I became a creator because music gave me a way to turn real life into something people could feel. Every song I write carries a story, and that idea became even more important with my song “Memoria,” which eventually inspired my documentary MEMORIA: Every Song Has a Story.

When did you first become aware of copyright, and why?

I first became seriously aware of copyright when I started releasing music professionally and realized that creating a song is only one part of being an artist. Protecting the song is just as important.

A lot of independent artists think that once a song is released on streaming platforms or registered with a performing rights organization, they are fully protected. But through my own experience, I learned that documentation, copyright registration, split clarity between co-writers, contracts, stems, timestamps, emails, and written records all matter.

My awareness became much deeper after the situation involving my song “Memoria.” I had created and released the song, documented the process, registered it, and preserved records connected to the work. When a dispute later arose over a derivative version of the song, my documentation became essential. It showed me that copyright is not just a legal formality. For independent artists, it can become the difference between having a voice and being forced to defend your work with nothing but your word.

Have you experienced copyright infringement and, if so, how has it affected you personally and financially?

Yes. My song “Memoria” became the center of a copyright dispute after another artist released a derivative version titled “Náufrago,” using core elements that I believe came directly from my original song. The experience affected me in several ways: personally, emotionally, professionally, and financially.

Personally, it was painful because the song was not just a file or a product to me. “Memoria” was based on real emotions and real experiences from my time in Medellín. It represented a personal chapter of my life, and seeing another version promoted publicly created a deep sense of betrayal and pressure.

Professionally, it forced me to act quickly and carefully. I had to rely on the documentation I had kept: copyright filings, release records, communications, song files, lyrics, and platform records. I submitted takedown claims through the proper channels, and the experience became a real-world lesson in why independent artists need to protect their work before a conflict happens.

Financially, infringement can affect an artist in many ways: lost streams, lost promotional value, confusion in the marketplace, damage to branding, and the cost of legal or administrative action. Even when money is not the only issue, the time, stress, and energy required to defend your work can be significant.

That experience is one of the reasons I created MEMORIA: Every Song Has a Story. I wanted to turn a difficult situation into something educational for other creators.

What do you do when you encounter someone stealing something you’ve invested your intellect, time, and money into?

The first thing I try to do is not react emotionally, even when the situation feels personal. That is easier said than done, especially when the work represents your time, money, creativity, and identity.

My approach is to document everything. Save the original files. Save the dates. Save the messages. Save the drafts, stems, screenshots, registration records, and release records. Do not rely on memory alone. In a dispute, documentation becomes your armor.

Then I look at the proper channels available. That may mean contacting the platform, filing a DMCA takedown notice, speaking with legal counsel, or gathering evidence before making any public statement.

The most important lesson I learned is that protecting your work through copyright should not start after someone takes it. It should start the moment you create it. If you wait until there is a problem, you may be too late.

In my case, I chose to stand up for my song through documentation, copyright registration, and the proper platform processes. I also chose to tell the story through a documentary, not as an attack, but as a lesson for other artists who may one day face something similar.

What is the best piece of advice that you would give other creators in your field about copyright and how to protect themselves?

My biggest advice is simple: protect your works through copyright registration and document everything before there is a problem.

Do not wait until a song is successful, disputed, copied, or questioned. Protect the work from the beginning.

For music creators, that means:

Know who wrote what.
Clarify who owns the master.
Clarify who owns the beat.
Clarify whether a producer is being paid for services or receiving ownership.
Keep written records of payments and agreements.
Save stems, drafts, lyrics, voice notes, project files, and email delivery records.
Register your songs properly with the U.S. Copyright Office.
Understand the difference between PRO registration and copyright registration.
Do not rely only on friendship or verbal understanding when music, money, and ownership are involved.

Independent artists often move fast because we are trying to create, release, and survive at the same time. But a lack of copyright registration and documentation can create major problems later.

If you aren’t already a member of the Copyright Alliance, you can join today by completing our Individual Creator Members membership form! Members gain access to monthly newsletters, educational webinars, and so much more — all for free!

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