Nicki's team is dumb or greedy - Nicki should have just covered the song (bypasses any clearance) - add Nas' bars - remix the track that Steely & Clevie produced - with fresh mix and master on that bassline -this would have been the song of the summer
she is getting her publishing and sync automatic - have been since the 80s, even on these leaks - the smoking gun on this if the label registered the leaked uncleared record with a PRO
copyright doesn't work the way you imagine - Chapman and her label has the right to prevent anyone from modifying or distributing any version of her compositions and or original work - thats why artists and DJs get in trouble with mixtapes free promo charity or for profit - all the same shit under copyright
there was never a lawsuit because no clearance needed in that case because those were covers, not samples. Chapman was covered by a lot of artists around the world shit even Babyface covered a few of her songs
When you cover a record just need to pay a license fee and all writer / composition publishing credits
A cover can change the arraignment of the song but not the lyrics or melody
Best example I can think of is "I Will Always Love You" by Doilly Parton - and covered by Whitney Houston
www.theguardian.com
