Nicki Minaj has had to pay Tracy Chapman $450,000 USD to settle a copyright lawsuit, The Hollywood Reporter reports. The suit came after Minaj sampled Chapman’s ‘Baby Can I Hold You’ in her song ‘Sorry’.
It started in 2018 when Minaj was recording her album Queen. She wrote the song ‘Sorry’ for the album alongside Nas, it wasn’t until just before the album’s release date, that Minaj found out the song sampled a song that sampled Chapman’s song.
Nicki Minaj quickly took to Twitter to get Chapman’s approval for the sample, telling fans she may have to delay the album.
She even ran a poll, asking whether she should release the album sans ‘Sorry’ or wait for Chapman’s OK.
Since I may have asked it wrong. vote. You guys can only imagine how much this means to me. It’s such a perfect body of work love you. Long time.
— Mrs. Petty (@NICKIMINAJ) August 1, 2018
Tracy Chapman never gave her okay and the album was released without the song.
Later on, a version of Nicki Minaj’s ‘Sorry’ was leaked via Funkmaster Flex.
It launched a legal battle between the two however new court documents show that on Thursday, 7th January, Tracy Chapman accepted an offer of $450,000 from Minaj to settle the case.
In a statement, Chapman said, “I am glad to have this matter resolved and grateful for this legal outcome which affirms that artists’ rights are protected by law and should be respected by other artists.
“I was asked in this situation numerous times for permission to use my song; in each instance, politely and in a timely manner, I unequivocally said no. Apparently Ms Minaj chose not to hear and used my composition despite my clear and express intentions.”
Nicki Minaj has not made a statement as of yet.
