Nicki Minaj pays settlement of nearly $450,000 to Tracy Chapman
- Nicki Minaj has paid a settlement of $450 000 to singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman in order to avoid a court battle
- The dispute surrounded Minaj's use of Chapman's song Baby Can I Hold You in her song Sorry without permission
- The settlement avoided the matter having to go to court
Nicki Minaj has reportedly settled a dispute with legendary singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman before a potential copyright infringement case could go to court.
The dispute was in regards to Nicki Minaj's leaked track Sorry, which was set to be featured on her 2018 album Queen. While recording the song, the rapper requested to sample a snippet of Chapman's Baby Can I Hold You but the artist denied the request.
Nicki's track then went ahead but what Nicki did not know was that the inspiration for her Sorry, a song by Shelley Thunders of the same name, was itself an interpolation of Chapman's Baby Can I Hold You.
Source: UGC
Nicki has not publicly mentioned the dispute, but Chapman spoke to the New York Times and said:
“As a songwriter and an independent publisher I have been known to be protective of my work. I have never authorised the use of my songs for samples or requested a sample. This lawsuit was a last resort.”
The settlement was $450 000 (nearly R7 million), which Minaj paid to Chapman. The rapper's lawyers confirmed to the press that they accepted the settlement because going to trial over the copyright infringement case would have cost more than the settlement did.
The settlement being concluded out-of-court meant that the case would not have to be subjected to a trial-by-jury.
In happier Nicki Minaj news, YEN.com.gh previously reported on the rapper posting a picture of her son for her fans and followers to see.
US rapper Nicki Minaj has finally shared the first pictures of her handsome son and boy is he adorable!
The mother of one was not holding back as she shared a full gallery of adorable snaps of her three-month-old baby, with hubby Kenneth Petty, donning different classy outfits. The young one, who looks a lot like his celebrity mom, was rocking some cute designer clothes and expensive accessories including a diamond watch, bracelet and huge chain.
In her message, the rapper referred to his little man as Papa bear and thanked him for choosing her to be his mom. Nicki wished all her fans a Happy New Year and thanked them for their love and support throughout her pregnancy and delivery period.
She added that becoming a mother was the most fulfilling job she's ever undertaken and spread love to other mums and also those that were pregnant during the difficult Covid-19 times. Her fans could not help but show their adoration of her cute son, adding the rapper was definitely blessed.
This comes two months after the singer shared the baby's first-ever picture on the day of her one-year anniversary with husband Petty.
Taking to her official page on Instagram, the rapper posted a photo of her baby’s cute foot which Petty was holding. The post was accompanied by a simple caption in which she wished her partner a happy anniversary. As expected, fans were excited by the post and shared congratulatory messages.
Source: YEN.com.gh
