Months after rejecting Nicki Minaj‘s request to use her sample, Tracy Chapman has filed a lawsuit accusing the rapper for using the sample without clearing it first.
Minaj blamed Chapman for the delay in releasing her album Queen. Minaj recording the song “Sorry,” without first obtaining Ms. Chapman’s permission to use a sample from her hit song “Baby Can I Hold You”.
Minaj tweeted then deleted about the sample dispute before the track leaked online.
Now Chapman is suing Minaj, saying the rapper failed to clear the sample before the track leaked.
According to Chapman, she did hear from Minaj’s team in June. She said they made “multiple requests” to use the sample, all of which Chapman denied.
Chapman is notorious for protecting the quality of her music and keeping it out of the hands of rappers.
Chapman alleges in her lawsuit that New York DJ Funkmaster Flex played the song on his popular radio show. She said, because Flex obtained permission from Minaj’s camp to play the song containing her sample, the song was then widely spread without her consent.
Chapman is suing for damages in the millions of dollars. She is also asking a judge to prevent Minaj from releasing the track anywhere, including overseas.
Photos by Getty Images
Sue dat azz Tracy and where you been?
Tracy is one of my favorite Ohioans, so team Tracy it is. She’s always been about her business and straightforward, Nicki and her crew are out of their league when it comes to dealing with her! No means no, h0!
I guess Nicki think she can do whatever the hell she wants
Not a surprise not even a story ? Nicki herself knew this was coming hence taking the song down on YouTube. Again not even a story. Next
Respect me Tracy Chapman and my art.
Dumb move. Tracy Chapman? Who? You make money through sampling. She better get with it. What an idiot. It’s not like she’s Mozart. She’s a one-hit wonder.
Because these rappers are trashy.
It’s her music to sample with whomever she wishes. She said No and No means No. Nicki considers herself a vet in the game, so she should know better.
Ummm Onika….you messing with the wrong one dear…..
Actually, Tracy to this very day is a well respected artist. Not everyone judges their worth by how many coins they can grab-that’s a juvenile way to view the world.
I’m an artist…and I’m sensitive about my shyt…
*erykah badu voice
Childish…
She is not a one hit wonder. She has quite a few hits, quite a few Grammy’s, and a whole lot of albums under her belt. But okay.
And I see you are FROM Cleveland. Where Tracy is from.
Yep, and she’s about to get paid off that one hit too.
Nah. Tracy Chapman is a very talented musician and artist. Nowhere near one hit wonder.
She tends to hide. She hates the spotlight I read a few years back.
Tracy said ‘no means no, bih!’
oop! LOL!
Meh I doubt she has a leg to stand on. Rappers do this all the time on mixtapes. Tracy wasting her money and needs to let it go. There’s no money to recover for lost royalties because the song was never sold or distributed.
According to Chapman, she did hear from Minaj’s team in June. She said they made “multiple requests” to use the sample, all of which Chapman denied.
_____________-
well there ya have it ….. but entitled fuggas think they can just take shyt … like it their own …. Tracy is not here for the shyts ….. Jacquese did this (atleast) what I got from it with Ella Mae …. I am not understanding these dyck riding mechanisms … trying to shine off someone else shyt …. get it together https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c1425c997ed3319b16098cad0d4bebaabde80cd22860d557863b4ff2c949aed9.gif
Watch how quickly this sh!t is settled.
a song should have never been recorded … Tracey old school ….. ask first then record …. smh
It’s fundamental a Release then Sample,not. Sample then Release..This finna get Mes-say!
One hit wonder ??? Chile glad I can’t see that comment cause man https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cb784b50c1e075c0c7f39f709a7c7b60b07da1a49ba86d27d24d134f70687920.gif
nope, it’s like you said Jenie… entitled… probably thought Tracy should feel honored that they even wanted to use HER work, smh. the delusion is real, Lol!
Baby its fukkery.
That gimme a reason is still my junk
Mine too!!
+1.
That song and her biggest song..Fast Car… are 10 years almost apart. Do you know how hard it is to make lightning strike twice in two different decades in a genre that is primarily FOLK MUSIC?
this whole entry right here… the comment…. Jed in that hat… his expression…. i just got here Jenie, and i’m already DONE…. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/b029c76378ea5eb0d17be0ae40b316f329298b08b0b47105020d3c5aaea4a82e.gif
I canna…. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bb4264f7d4d7227830d50436ebc02fe52f854ab6633bc6dbb91c04c30c8efcd0.gif
I didn’t realize her genre was Folk music. That’s what’s up!
Ikr right. Beverly Hillbillies. LMMFAO at Jed ??
Why artists can do longer be original? Get your own shidt,and yew wouldn’t have this prollum.
I was screaming at the comments on TSR about Jacquese and the remake of Ella Mae song lol they said he was about to go on tour with all his remixes rolmaoooooo chileeeeeee he does great lil remixes no shade to him but I love a good laugh lol
Get her Tracy!
playing the guitar and no gimics! you know how much of a OG you gotta be to kill the game with just lyric verses and a damn acoustic guitar?! LMAO!!!!!!!!!
Is it that hard to ask before using ppl stuff? That’s why me and my brother used to get into it. He always using my degree deodorant talm bout sis, lol it smells good. Don’t tell nobody I used it.? ITS MY STUFF RODNEY! Makes me sick! ??
Yes, it’s a mix of Folk, Alternative music, R&B, Soft Rock and Pop. Something for everyone. ??
multi-platinum… https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/68bc52b2a4f54f3dc0d4dea29ec0c12c203c19b65d4d18beb2fbbd13d0be6a55.gif
Yupper!
you said it hun “artist” ….these folks out here now just wanna be ‘entertainers’
Jed AND Jenie got me choking on my doritos, ROFL!
ROFL!!!!!!!!!!! you said it’s personal! LOL!
Well at least he smelled good. Back in high school, I ran out of deodorant and put on my brother’s Brut to go to the school dance. I realized once it got hot how loud that mess was. ?
Such a down to earth laid back sistah.
ITS MY STUFF RODNEY! <<< fukk the Rodney's and the Nicki's of this world OKAY?
I wanna win the Megamillion or Powerball and be like Jed.
LISTEN. That is why we are NOT gonna sit up here and desecrate the artistry that is Tracy Chapman ON TUHDAY. NOPE.
Tracey ain’t goin….lmao…don’t blame her one bit….
Good for Tracy, don’t let your music be reduced to trash lyrics over bad beats.
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0fa01acb3ecb7b2cdf59fd66a6175948149b7f885ec4e188c94e60752f05b703.gif
Tracy was like, “Not so Fast Bih”……You Won’t pull one on This nappy head ho.
LMAO!!! Rodney be tripping….lol
I definitely heard the song. I think on here.. and Nicki is the one who informed the public that such a song existed sooo idk
I use to love Tracey and Alice Walker as a couple back in the day ,I wonder who cheated ,probably Tracey. Good I hope Tracey wins big time against that guttersnipe niki
i know Shug, Lol! plus, she a guitar-playing Sister, so i know you not here for the foolishness, ROFL!!!!!!!
Did u use lady speed stick? I avoided like the plague growing up because I seen my bigger cousin using it and her underarms would b dripping wet in sweat like an hour later. ??
i. am. HOLLERING!!!!!!!!!!!!!
girl…..I was like….da hell?? Some folks must not know about REAL MUSIC…..smdh….Nikki knew better and she tried it anyways….hope they sue the silicone out of her azz!!
ditto
and that is why we luv us some Tracy Chapman!!!
that last part tho…. LMAO!!!
The way the “barbs” are disrespecting her on Instagram is really ridiculous. Nicki needs to get her people. They need manners or sum. Her hive is problematic & sad
i swallowed my gum on that one!!!! lmbao!!!!!!!! you’s a mess for that!!!!!
I thought Alice caused the split, you know she be acting ‘special’ sometimes, LOL!!!
*cackles*
smh don’t play with a living legend, little girl.
if their parents couldn’t tame them, Nicki can’t do anything with them (she prob thinks it’s cute anyway) …lost causes, smh
I was so embarrased. I started standing still like we were playing freeze in there. I was so goofy?
Time to pay up balloon butt!!!
No, I never tried that one but I’ve used cheap a## Tussy before. Then it had the nerve to be the cream kind. I wonder who came up with that name? Luther Campbell or Hugh Hefner??
YOU KNOW how I feel about the ones who play the guitars. Not just sistas. Women in general bc if this was Bonnie Raitt I would be mad too lmaooo.
I never got the official story it was a little harder following celebrity gossip back then.
I don’t think Nicki should have to pay Million’s, I’ve never heard the song or do not care to hear it either. Nicki said it wasn’t cleared…go back under your rock Tracy
legend?
I love love love Bonnie Raitt!! I’d go see her in concert fr.
You in the fast car is the only song I know. That’s from the 80s or 90s. Let’s just say she’s not filling up any stadiums or arenas. Ain’t nobody paying to see Tracy perform unless its $5.
I’ve ONLY ever heard this song as a reggae song, an old school reggae song. Does anyone else know that version? Did Tracy sing that and they just sped it up and put it to a reggae beat…. or is that a bootleg version sang by someone else?
Not really. It’ll be thrown out.
So does Cardi B. The Grammys are coming. Does that make her a quality artist? Ain’t nobody checking for Tracy Chapman. Who dat woman?? She better take those dollars Nicki is throwing her way.
Just because you’re in love with her doesn’t mean the rest of us have to. She a banjo picking folk artist with two decent songs. But if you like it…
Ugh!
I’m trying to help a sister and telling her to take the money.
I only learned of their relationship years after it was over. i read a couple of short articles, but not info was available. there WAS an issue raised by Alice’s daughter regarding money, implication being that Alice and Tracy owed her money, but later when i read more of the daughter’s writings, it became apparent that she and Alice had a less than desirable mother/daughter relationship, so the money issue may have been just her lashing out at her mom for loving Tracy… i don’t know… tangled web hun, Lol!
Who cares what you think it aint your music or work!! U go back under yo crackrock fakebarb! Dont f with a Legend bish!! Nicki shouldve never made the song without her permission in the first place! Nobody cares for her barbie yodeling sexist raps covering real respected artistry!
Apples to dried up, shriveled, 25 day old, done started to mold… ays ORANGES
yes, i Do know Shug, Lol!
(oh and most def Bonnie, because Bonnie has done a LOT on behalf of the legendary blues artists as far as them having rights and returns on their music!)
please stop sharing…. i’m just now regaining my composure from reading your first comment, smh https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/ef40d2ea55704eae596ed7962a7cf32e880e91161573d05feb78e00a47c7263d.gif
I think it’s these generations period … fuggas think they entitled to shyt ….
Bonnie in my top 3 women guitar players of all time.
Bonnie
Tracy
Teena
Honrable mention goes to Joan Jett and Melissa Etheridge.
You dont have to like Tracy. But the reason for downing one artist who was BLANTLY WRONG AS SIN for another one is because….???? YOU dont feel as if she should make a stink bc she according to you is a one hit wonder? Even so, stealing is stealing ma’am. Last I checked it ruined the career of Lauryn Hill and countless others. We aint heard hardly ANYTHING from Robin Thicke after the Gaye family sued the smithereens out of him.
? ? ?
And ummmm who plays the banjo btw?
yo! Sandra said you made your quota for the day – logout!
LMAO!!!!!!!!!!
Tracy Chapman is a genius and authentic songwriter. Good that she is real and strong enough to be unimpressed with hip hop and to sue Nicki Minaj and hold her accountable for theft by arrogance.
What do you listen to? WHO do you listen too? You got what Chris Rock said in his movie…neega ears? Black music only?
Yes.
AMEN.
Especially after Ms. Chapman told Nicki no more than once.
PREACH!!!!
If TC did not clear it then NM should not have used it point blank.
Exactly. I’m sick of Garbaj and I’m glad Tracy got time.
?????
Nicki Minaj needs to be begging Ms. Chapman for singing and guitar lessons.
Most certainly! You didn’t know?
A very wealthy artist at that and not in need of sampling money.
???? ? This!!
To add to that Tracey sue the daughter for business star-up company. Daughter had to pay it back.
You don’t like Bonnie Raitt DGB??! Lol you’re missing out. Let me find you a few to listen to ?
I love love love Tracy Chapman!!! If she says no then it’s a no go !!!
Nobody cares for her barbie yodeling
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Snicker..
Absolutely! World renowned and internationally loved…
If Tracy hard face azz says no then it no.
Okay I found a couple of bangers ?https://youtu.be/Dy8gHfGIS_A
https://youtu.be/nW9Cu6GYqxo
LOLLOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!
Nope Nope Nope! She’s dope and she doesn’t need Nicki at all. That’s why she said no…
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!!! You’d be surprised just how many people love Tracy Chapman…
LMBAOFFFFFFFFFFFFFF! What’s wrong with you Wreck??? You got me crine at work!!!
Gone and git now DGB!!! You don’t know nuthing bout dis!!! LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!
well stealing is stealing…and what Nikki did was wrong…point blank period. She got the NO more than once…so she should have left it at that……its not about the money, it is the principle. SHE SAID NO! Like my daddy always said…..A HARD HEAD MAKES A SOFT AZZ…..so now she gon have to pay!!
Whuuut? They came for Tracy??? Unlike other weak minded artists she is standing her ground and cannot be swayed by the ‘barbs.’
MY SONGS do you hear ME? She a beast on that guitar too
Tracy was like .. NAH. run me my money. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/29e0b82b5d7b062b2a1c01020c29d961be6d103e3f57fbcfa432cb92a0d57878.gif
This just isn’t Nicki’s year is it? ?
‘For My Lover, ‘Matters of the Heart’ and ‘If Not Now’. I never get tired of these songs…
She a banjo picking folk artist
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
DGB!!! You turrible!!! LOL!!!!!!!!!!
I love Teena also….
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Snicker….
THAT’S IT!!!! I knew it was money, but couldn’t recall who owed what to whom! Thanks Bashi! Lol!
Tracy originally sung that song. Later on, she gave permission to that reggae artist to cover her song.
Have you been living under a rock?
neega ears?
~~~~~~~~~~~
LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!
omgggggggg these songs make me cryyy.. so emotional
neega ears!!!!! LMAOOOOOOOOO
Aw, Nicki! You poor thing . . .
Tracy be like …
Nope
You made my damn day! lol. Thank you. TC ain’t with the bs.
That deodorant story Rayne told tickled me so much that I just had to over share. My mama was mad because I used his stuff and I should’ve known not to be using anything after any boy or man.
Well damn, you mad or super mad? ?????
THERE ARE A LOT OF CHICKS WHO ARE NATURALLY HARD FACES PLUS BAD BUILT TO BOOT OUT HERE, TRACY JUST WAS SECURE ENOUGH AND DID NOT RUN TO GOT SURGERY, LACE FRONTS AND BUTT SHOTS. HER MUSIC AND CHECKS ARE SOFT & PRETTY THOUGH………..JENNY JONES!!!!
Did you say Garbaj?!?! ?
Did you say Garbaj?!?! ?
Nicki gonna learn today. She was probably shocked Tracy said no. Nicki probably acted as if she was entitled. As if Tracy should be happy that Nicki asked for it smh! Sis gonna learn to respect her elders.
Good for you Tracy. Get your coins.
I think she was referring to Bonnie. But like Nancy said, not only is Bonnie a beast on that slide guitar, she’s also an upstanding person who’s gone to bat for blues singers to make sure they were rightly compensated for their music.
?’s Tracey Chapman. Quality music left as it is AND she is not to be BULLIED by these young bast’ads. Flex a foul lowlife for touching the track… & is queen the new slur? …?
That whole crew does seem to have a problem with thinking people should feel honored to be associated with them. & they stay coming for people who are talented &,respectful in their own lanes. Like, why would the truly talented feel like even hanging out w/u bums in VIP? Much less give you free credibility by using their work like you’re a respected person ?
I blame the coke&cocaine induced compliments from the white label executives.
Her records been spinning just on regular radio for decades, no tour necessary ?
Tracey Chapman don’t play about this music! These youngsters are going to learn today.
LOL LOL LOL
No means No Nicki!
I should’ve known not to be using anything after any boy or man.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Your mama was absolutely right! LOLLOLLOL!!!!!!!!!
Get her Tracy…She should’ve stayed in her lane?#CutTheCheck
Nicki thinks she’s Kanye, the can do what ever without consequences. Hopefully another L for her this year.
Bless Chapman. All the filth coming out on the lyrics….why would anyone of substance and intelligence want their song sampled on some of the filthy rap?
The old school group Nice & Smooth did Tracey Chapman’s beat justice with Sometimes I Rhyme Slow.
Nice and Smooth
I sometimes cry too when I hear them. ??
Tracey I all about her business she keeps a low profile while touring never in anyone business
and that’s what I like about her lol
We live in a new generation of thieves
Nicki tweeted…”Sis said no” sooooo why or how was it leaked???
?????
She ushered in the new era of singer/songwriters and when I voted for Grammys always noted the respect she receives from esteemed artists. Money isn’t everything. I would never let NM sample my works. The genre had waned and with Tracy’s success others with similar talents blossomed. Mozart was no lyricist though great.
I loved that song too! ?
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e81676b35b92b43d38803dbd3ebaa47352f688efcb8c2253c7ca77e3f60d5549.jpg
Hahha. Get it, Tracey!!
Lmao
Yeen lying ???
??
I’m a little glad that she didn’t get the clearance for it because she and her team was talking too big on social media. They way Minaj went about it on social media was too cocky. She called out Tracy on social media and trying to guilt trip her with “If my album get pushed back waiting for clearance, it’ll be Tracy’s fault…” I do love the original song and I did hear Nicki’s version and I really like hers as well.
Lawsuit Tingz
She thinks with her mind
run tracy huh money man
Why does Nicki look so evil in all of her photos?
never knew that
But its not on her album ?????
Flex did it
& isnt sorry remade in a reggae song??
U hear the reggae version more lol y she aint sue them
Ouch lol
gotcha
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/de66098e45a4e63b63cbe323bee49f131dd5f67d6a27c532b25eadd76e175cb3.gif
Yes, yes I did
I did hear that there was a Reggae version, Nicki is a big artist right now, that equals dolla’s ..
Lmfao ??