WASHINGTON (SBG) - Legendary singer-songwriter Tracy Chapman, has reached a settlement with rapper Nicki Minaj for $450,000 in their soon to be ending copyright battle.
According to Billboard, Nicki Minaj has made a $450,000 offer in Tracy Chapman’s copyright lawsuit over the use of her song “Baby Can I Hold You.” The dispute results from Nicki’s song “Sorry,” which was leaked in 2018, a song that samples Chapman’s. Chapman initially denied a request to approve the sample, leaving Nicki to leave the song off her album “Queen.” However, after the album's release, the song was leaked across the internet.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, U.S. District Court Judge Virginia Phillips ruled that Minaj had a right to fair use of the song while working in studios for musical experimentation. “A ruling uprooting these common practices would limit creativity and stifle innovation within the music industry," Judge Phillips wrote.
Following this decision, the judge also set a trial regarding the leak and distribution of Nicki Minaj's song. Accepting Minaj's offer, the two will now avoid further court appearances and legal action.
