A song released well over three years ago by Chicago artist Clive Tanaka is now the center of a copyright infringement lawsuit aimed at Young Money rapstress Nicki Minaj. According to the Chicago Tribune, Tanaka believes Nicki Minaj borrowed components of his record “Neu Chicago” on her 2012 chart-topper, “Starships.”
In his lawsuit, which was filed earlier this week in a U.S. District Court in Chicago, the “Neu Chicago” creator also named various “Starships” collaborators including producer/songwriter Nadir “RedOne” Khayat, Carl Falk, Wayne Hector, and Rami Yacoub.
The similarity between both songs is arguable, but according to Tanaka’s lawyer, Christopher Niro, there’s one piece of information that could be vital in the Windy City artist’s lawsuit. Tanaka believes RedOne and other “Starships” writers could have been living in Sweden when his record, “Neu Chicago,” was featured in several advertising campaigns in the country.
“They had a very good opportunity to hear it…We believe they are similar to the point that it is nearly impossible for it to be a coincidence,” Niro revealed to the Chicago Tribune.
Neither Nicki Minaj nor a rep for the rapper has responded publicly to Tanaka’s lawsuit.
Although Nicki Minaj was sued by an exotic car rental company in 2010, the copyright infringement lawsuit filed this week by Tanaka serves as a rarity for the Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded mastermind. On the contrary, Cash Money Records and its artist have been hit with numerous lawsuits over the past few years.
Most notoriously, Lil Wayne settled a $20 million lawsuit with “Lollipop” producer Deezle last year over unpaid work for Tha Carter III. Additionally, Drake also found himself at the center of a costly lawsuit when a woman claiming to be the singer/rapper’s girlfriend sued over the use of her vocal’s on “Marvin’s Room.”
I’ve just listened to the song, and they may actually have a case… They are certainly VERY similar.
Tanaka’s song is better.
What’s with the lawsuits? Are they hating on ymcmb or what?
so what’s the story I want to know more Mr. YMCMB Insider.
Is she countersuing?
Did she really suck Gucci?
Is the pic real?
Is Drake taking over as the face of YMCMB with Tunechi hanging the mic?
Is Weezy coming for Tony Hawk?
Are you willing to accept Ja Rule as your saviour?
1. She is countersuing.
2. She did nothing with Gucci.
3. Drake is the face of ymcmb after wayne retires.
4. Wayne is the best skater ever.
5. YMCMB is in my blood.
Everything said by dentalbitch is a lie.
What facts do you have that disprove my points? Otherwise, shut up dickbitch with your arrow indicating your gay.
There’s no response from Nicki, there’s a picture of her giving Gucci dome on the net, Drake is bound to leave YMCMB, Wayne can’t even ollie, so he’s not the best skater, YMCMB is not in your blood, you’re just a groupie nigga. Also, that last thing you said is a lie you pulled outta your ass, as the arrow in my name is pointing at your comment and does not indicate anything homosexual.
http://i79.photobucket.com/albums/j136/Courtney_x0x3/movies/ff0739b6ee.gif
Bitch was never able to write a decent song now she started copying underground records ? why am i not surprised ? I hope they take all the money from these un-skilled Young Money sluts…
stupid bitch
This is part of the reason i say young money is the most over rated over hyped rap crew of all time.
When it all boils down, they are’nt that talented and they make ring tone pop music.
I really dont understand how anybody who say their a “rap/hip hop fan” support anything these lames do…
YES, you reap what you sow. Produce wackness, prepared to be sued for it.
yea. i just listen to both of them. she’s bout to get sued.
Yeah true. Just listened. Clearly stole it.
So we’re hating on Minaj for what? First of all FELLAS, she’s a shorty and men shouldnt be hating on a woman. Second of all ALL hiphop artists are guilty of getting stupid record sales off ringtones, and most def off of “STEALING,” music from other artists. It’s called sampling. Name your favorite hiphop record and chances are they “stole,” something. The only difference is on one hand lawyers got paid to make sure someone else got paid, and on the other they didn’t give a fuck. Vanilla Ice
So women get to do whatever they want? Gender equality doesn’t mean taking women from the bottom and putting them on top, it means putting them on the same level as men.
And when someone samples, the people who own the music get paid. If they don’t want you to use the sample, you don’t get to use it. If Nicki is guilty then Tanaka wasn’t asked for permission and she wasn’t paid (or whoever owns Tanaka’a music) So the only difference is in one case you’re stealing and in the other you’re paying for something to which you have been given permission to use by its legal owner.
so if a shorty stabs you in the stomach you should still stop hating on her? ok by your logic that means women walk all over you and you’re a simp.
sampling a record to create a unique piece of work is different from jacking a song
dog got hit by a car .next day start putting santa clause masks on peeking thrw windows.
oh who gives a fuck, most female rappers are wack as fuck anyway lil kim eve fuck outta here
here comes the rain again
i never liked this tramp hog face bitch
please nicki let me fuck
Even a deaf monkey can quickly come to the conclusion they jacked the whole melody from this guy’s original song. Case closed.
as Jeremy implied I am stunned that a stay at home mom can get paid $6642 in one month on the internet. look at here now… http://www.Cafe44.com
This just in: Kendrick ate a burrito and had to shit. HHDX sources may believe this could be a “diss shit” at other rappers. We will keep you posted after he wipes since we have no other stories at this time.