Trinidadian pop star Nicki Minaj is probably feeling very “Sorry” right now. Minaj is being sued by folk singer Tracy Chapman for copyright infringement, relating to the song “Sorry”. Chapman alleges Minaj incorporated the lyrics and vocal melody from her song “Baby, Can I Hold You” without permission.
In the suit, obtained by RCS, Chapman claims Minaj and her team began reaching out in June 2018 about using the song, however Chapman denied their request. Minaj and her team clearly didn’t factor rejection into their scenario because Minaj recorded the song for her album “Queen” anyway.
Although the song was not released on the album, according to Chapman’s suit, Minaj, however, provided a copy of the song to popular New York DJ Funkmaster Flex at HOT 97. Chapman claims the DJ subsequently promoted the song’s release on his social media channels and played it on air. Basically, the song went viral! That’s a big no no since the “Queen” Minaj had no legal permission to use the song.
Minaj has not responded to the suit. But the suit does make mention of a now-deleted tweet from Minaj in which — prior to her album’s release — acknowledged struggling with whether or not to keep the song on her album, as doing so would have delayed “Queen’s” release.
Grammy-winner Chapman, who was a staple of the late ’80s and ’90s music scene, is best known for her songs “Fast Car” and “Give Me One Reason.”
