Nicki Minaj is reportedly convinced she did nothing wrong by using Tracy Chapman’s music without permission. According to The Blast, court documents show Black Barbie is denying all of Chapman’s allegations.
The veteran singer-songwriter claims Nicki stole her 1988 song “Baby Can I Hold You” for her own track “Sorry” featuring Nas — despite failing to secure the rights. Nicki admits her team repeatedly asked for Chapman’s permission and was denied. However, she recorded the song anyway.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5EftG1WUG0&feature=youtu.be
The sample clearance issue was partly to blame for the delay of Nicki’s latest album, Queen. The Queens-bred rap star wanted to include “Sorry” on the album, but because she couldn’t clear the sample, she ultimately left it off.
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The song was eventually leaked to Funkmaster Flex who promptly threw it in rotation. Consequently, Chapman filed the lawsuit.
Nicki believes the use of Chapman’s sample was fair use and insists Chapman doesn’t own the copyright to the sampled track. She wants the entire lawsuit thrown out.