Nicki Minaj is no stranger when it comes to controversy. Usually the “Did It On ‘Em” singer just generates buzz, but this time it’s a lawsuit. Chicago musician Clive Tanaka is suing the rapper over her song “Starships,” claiming that it is too similar to one of his songs.
“Starships” was a major hit during the summer of 2012, but it turns out it may not be the original work of Nicki Minaj. In 2009, Clive Tanaka released a song entitled, “Neu Chicago,” which sounds eerily similar.
In total, five people were named in the lawsuit. Nicki Minaj finds herself in the company of producer Nadir Khayat, aka RedOne, and three writers who created the lyrics: Carl Falk, Rami Yacoub and Wayne Hector. Naturally, they are being sued for copyright infringement.
While Mr. Tanaka is not as widely known as Ms. Minaj, he is a legitimate musician that is respected in the Chicago area. As The Chicago Tribune reported:
“Clive Tanaka, meanwhile, is an underground artist who has cloaked himself in mystery. While his meticulously crafted electronic music has won accolades, he's never performed in public. His fans don't know his real name or even where he hails from.”
He remains even a mystery to his attorney, who is unaware of his client’s current location. As the Tribune states:
“His attorney, Christopher Niro, said Tanaka was ‘working on a new album and screenplay,’ possibly in South America. ‘Argentina, from what I was told,’ Niro said in an interview at his Loop offices at Niro, Haller & Niro. ‘He's kind of a reclusive--he makes and produces music and that's his goal.’"
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