Singer Tracy Chapman is suing Nicki Minaj for copyright infringement.
Chapman accused Minaj of using parts of her song “Baby Can I Hold You” for an unreleased track of the rapper’s titled “Sorry,” reports TMZ.
The lawsuit says the “Barbie Dreams” rapper sent multiple licensing requests to Chapman but was refused.
Still, Minaj persisted and “incorporates the lyrics and vocal melody of [“Baby Can I Hold You”], its most recognizable and memorable parts,” according to an excerpt obtained by Pitchfork.
The lawsuit also said Chapman’s “lyrics and vocal melody comprise approximately half of [“Sorry”] and are easily recognizable and identifiable as Chapman’s.”
The “Fast Car” singer is seeking financial damages and an order barring the song from being released.
“Sorry” originally premiered on Funkmaster Flex’s Hot 97 radio show in August and was supposed to be on Minaj’s Queen album, but it never made the cut. Minaj sent a tweet asking Chapman’s permission and later tweeted “Sis said no.” Both posts have been deleted.
Minaj’s team has attempted to scrub the song from the internet, but a few samples are still lingering.
Neither party has publicly addressed the lawsuit.
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