Jay Z and Timbaland are being sued for using an unauthorized sample on a song that came out the year I was born (1998).
This past Saturday, The Blast reported that 81 year old Ernie Hines is suing the two and their labels, including Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music, for using a part from his 1969 song “Help Me” in the instrumental section of Jay-Z’s song “Paper Chase”, produced by Timbaland. Hines also claimed that another song that Timbaland produced, Ginuwine’s 1999 track Toe 2 Toe, also used the sample without his permission.
According to his lawyer Christopher Brown, the senior citizen’s explanation for he didn’t recognize the illegal use of his song years before is, “[Hines is a] senior citizen, does not listen to rap music, and was unaware”.
All in all, the terms of the lawsuit are for copyright infringement and Hines will receive $2 million reimbursement.