Tracy Chapman has scored a major legal victory against Nicki Minaj.
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Per The Hollywood Reporter: Minaj has been ordered to pay Chapman $450,000 to satisfy Chapman’s copyright infringement case over the song ‘Sorry’ which samples Chapman’s ‘Baby Can I Hold You.’
On January 7, documents became public in California federal court that reflected the fact that Chapman had accepted the ‘Super Bass’ rapper’s offer.
Chapman first filed the case back in October 2018, a couple of months after Minaj released her ‘Queen’ album. While ‘Sorry’ was not included on the album, Minaj allegedly leaked the song to Funkmaster Flex before it made its way to the internet.
According the papers in this case, Minaj sought a license to Chapman’s composition despite the fact that Chapman is on the “do not sample list” – an unwritten list of artists that are well-known for now allowing samples of their work. Chapman ultimately rejected the request despite Minaj’s persistence. The song only got out through leak.
Regardless, both sides have now come to an agreement.