>
American singer, Tracy Chapman has sued rapper, Nicki Minaj, for copyright infringement.
According to TMZ, the multiple Grammy award winner has filed a law suit over a song that Minaj had hoped to feature on her recent album “Queen”, alleging that Minaj illegally used her song “Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight” for her unreleased single, “Sorry,” featuring Nas.
The 54-year-old singer is seeking damages and an order to stop an official release of the song.
Minaj had made repeated public attempts to obtain rights from Chapman for sampling 1988 hit Baby Can I Hold You without success.
The ongoing saga started in June 2018, when Minaj and her team made multiple requests to license Chapman’s song which was a hit single from her 1988 eponymous debut album. Chapman denied all requests.
Despite choosing not to include it on her album, the single was played in August on Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show and on Power 105.1’s “The Breakfast Club,” after which it continued to be reposted by fans.
In Minaj’s defense by her attorney, the day the track was debuted on the radio, she tweeted, “Sis said no”, apparently referring to Chapman’s refusal to grant her licensing rights.
The song never made it onto Queen, which Minaj reportedly delayed in hopes Chapman would clear the usage. She also asked her fans in a poll if she should delay the release of Queen to wait for Chapman’s response.
Chapman’s last album was 2008’s Our Bright Future and during her career she won four Grammys, including best new artist and best rock song.