Tracey Chapman is able to buy several fast cars by settling a lawsuit against rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, better known as Nicki Minaj.
According to Variety, a lawsuit Chapman filed against Minaj, who recently gave birth to their first child and was originally due to be tried later that year, was settled by both parties. Chapman has accepted a $ 450,000 deal from the Queens-born rapper who sampled one of her most popular songs without Chapman’s permission.
Chapman filed the lawsuit after Minaj used a sample of Chapman’s 1988 record “Baby Can I Hold You” for her song “Sorry,” which featured legendary rapper Nas back in 2018. Chapman, notorious for not allowing artists to sample their work, had turned down requests to approve the sample, but the pre-recorded song was leaked from New York’s Hot 97 Funkmaster Flex before the album was released in August that year.
In a written statement to The Wrap, Chapman stated, “I’m glad this matter is resolved and grateful for this legal outcome, which confirms that artists’ rights are protected by law and should be respected by other artists. I have been asked for permission to use my song several times in this situation; in any case, I said no politely and in good time. Apparently, despite my clear and explicit intentions, Ms. Minaj did not hear or use my composition. “
“As a songwriter and independent publisher, I was known for protecting my work. I have never authorized the use of my songs for samples or requested a sample. This lawsuit was a last resort to defend myself and my work and to seek protection for the creative enterprise and expression of songwriters and independent publishers like me. “
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