Nicki Minar is currently facing a lawsuit filed by musician Clive Tanaka over allegations that she copied one of his songs to create the megahit 'Starships', according to MSN Music.
Tanaka filed the lawsuit against Minaj at the U.S. District Court in Chicago on Tuesday, saying that that latter used portions of his 2011 track 'Neu Chicago'. The copyright lawsuit infringement also names 'Starships' producer RedOne, Carl Falk, Wayne Hector, and Rami Yacoub., according to Chicago Tribune.
Tanaka previously posted a mash-up of the two songs online so fans could hear the alleged similarities between the tracks. His lawyer, Christopher Niro, says, "We believe they are similar to the point that it is nearly impossible for it to be a coincidence."
In the lawsuit, Tanaka insists his song received substantial airplay both in the U.S. and in Europe and his attorney adds, "They [the defendants] had a very good opportunity to hear it." A representative for Minaj has yet to comment. "Starships" was released last year and became a huge hit across the world.
Meanwhile, Niro said that his client is currently working on "a new album and screenplay" after ending her contract with last season's American Idol. Her debut album called Pink Friday which was released in 2010 peaked at number one on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
Her most successful single from the said album, 'Super Bass' was certified quadruple-platinum and has sold over four million copies, becoming one of the best-selling singles in the United States. During the same time, Minaj became one of the few female artists whose single were topping the Billboard Charts at the same time.
