14 January, 2026, 7:04 am Central - 24°C Clouds

Nicki Minaj pays Tracy Chapman $US450,000 after copyright case

Nicki Minaj pays Tracy Chapman $US450,000 after copyright case

By Semi Turaga
09/01/2021
[Image: rolling stone]

Rapper Nicki Minaj will pay singer Tracy Chapman $US450,000 to settle a copyright dispute after sampling one of her songs.

BBC News reports Chapman sued Minaj in 2018, saying she had used portions of Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight in her song Sorry.

Although the song was never released, a leaked version made its way to radio DJ Funkmaster Flex and went viral online.

Chapman accused Minaj of sharing the song with Flex, although both have denied that version of events.

BBC News reports Minaj wrote Sorry with fellow rapper Nas while recording her fourth album Queen in 2018.

It was based on a sample of the dancehall track Sorry by Jamaican artist Shelly Thunder. Unbeknownst to Minaj, that song was based on Baby, Can I Hold You Tonight, from Chapman's Grammy-winning 1988 debut album.

After discovering the connection, Minaj and her record label sought permission to use Chapman's composition, but the singer-songwriter repeatedly refused.

FEATURE NEWS
FCEF urges FCCC to scrap proposed electricity tariff increase
The Fiji Commerce and Employers Federation has urged the Fiji Competition and Consumer Commission to set aside its proposed electricity tariff determi...
12 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
Health services at Ono-i-Lau Health Centre have been temporarily suspended
Health services at the Ono-i-Lau Health Centre have been temporarily suspended following an incident that is currently before the court. The ...
13 hours ago

Heavy Rain and Flash Flood warnings remain for whole of Fiji
A Heavy Rain and Flash Flood warnings remain in force for the whole of Fiji.A strong wind warning also remains in force for the coastal areas of the ...
13 hours ago

Miss Fiji claims committee members said she was not Fijian
Miss Fiji, Dr Peggy Ravusiro says she did not sign the Miss South Pacific Pageant contract as she felt she was going to be a mannequin for ...
14 hours ago

FCOSS urges government to consider education vouchers for back-to-school assistance
The government should consider issuing education vouchers instead of cash for back-to-school assistance to prevent misuse and ensure the support ...
14 hours ago

Pacific Conference of Churches pays tribute to Reverend Tugi
The Pacific Conference of Churches has expressed deep sadness at the passing of Reverend Simione Tugi, honouring his ecumenical leadership and ...
15 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
12 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
23 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
23 days ago

TOP