According to reports, Tracy Chapman has accepted Nicki Minaj's offer of 450K to settle their copyright dispute out of court. This lawsuit was over Nicki Minaj's song "Sorry" featuring Nas. Nicki Minaj had planned to have the song on her 2018 album Queen; however, she later realized that the song sampled Chapman's "Baby Can I Hold You." Even though Chapman is on the "Do Not Sample" list, Nicki Minaj took to Twitter to ask for help in contacting Chapman. Can we agree that backfired?
Chapman rejected Nicki Minaj's request, and it never appeared on Nicki's Queen album. However, the song was leaked on Funk Flex's show. Nicki Minaj was accused of being the source of the leak.
This settlement allows Nicki to avoid having to go to trial.
In Sept. 2019, Nicki Minaj did get a victory when the judge ruled that she did not commit copyright infringement by writing and recording the song. This was a huge win for the culture, considering how much sampling is apart of Hip Hop. But, Nicki always had an uphill battle when it came to defending she was not behind the leak to Funk Flex.
The lesson for artists is to make sure you get your songs totally cleared and pay attention to "Do Not Sample" lists.
Thoughts?
UPDATE: 1/8 10:02 AM PST
According to reports, the 450K includes attorney fees, etc.
UPDATE: 1/8 10:27 AM PST
Just to clarify what the settlement is over. It's about using a songwriter's work without permission and leaking it.
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@tiffany aren't you tired? A Nicki verse is not "worth" it after 2019? Who are you again? ...after witnessing the barbz power , her 2 #1s(trollz literally proved something...that was a moment...say so too...like what...everybody wants a part of this pie...and the barbz are going to show out for her lead and all her singles...) Tusa success(one of her smartest moves...literally!!!) etc...do you really think so? Yes Megan and Sada didn't pay the full price(what does that say about her? The evil woman?)...but i am sure as a businesswoman she made sure to take a certain % of these songs...Yes giving verses left and right make her look too accessible...but hey...it's a part of YM drake and lil wayn…
Nicki did HGS for free everybody knows that and for Sada Baby idk. Stop being mad and bitter because it’s really ridiculous. God bless you and give you peace.
So Megan paid 500k for HGS? She just got a budget so I don’t believe Nicki got 500k for that. And sada baby coughed up 500k? Not believing it. A Nicki verse after 2019 isn’t worth 500k.
Celeste she “BIG BITTER” when it comes to Nicki lol she start believing her own lies Chile.
Why would her price be reduced when she clearly the female rapper everyone wants to collab with? Even the girls that can’t stand her. Plenty artists has came out and said she charge 500k for a verse are they lying for her too? Like I said what’s 450k when she charges 500k for a verse?
Chile Tiffany stop being mad. Davido already tell that she charges 500k for a feature 🥴.