JAY Z and Timbaland sued for $2 million over unauthorised sample

An 81-year-old soul singer alleges that Timbaland has never paid him royalties from two 90s samples.

May 20, 2019

JAY Z and Timbaland are being sued for the unauthorised use of a 1969 soul sample in the Timbaland-produced songs “Paper Chase” (from Hard Knock Life) and “Toe 2 Toe,” (from Ginuwine’s 100% Ginuwine,) The Blast reports.

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According to The Blast, 81-year-old soul singer Ernie Hines is filing the suit against JAY Z and Timbaland along with their labels Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam, Universal and Sony. The lawsuit alleges that Timbaland sampled his song “Help Me Put Out the Flame (In My Heart)” twice in the nineties, and that Hines was “unaware” of the samples as he “does not listen to rap music.” The suit alleges that Hines never received any payment or acknowledgement of the sample; as such, Hines is demanding payment of $2 million.

The FADER has reached out to Timbaland’s representatives for comment.

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JAY Z Photo by Slaven Vlasic/Getty Images for Sports Illustrated
Timbaland Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

JAY Z and Timbaland sued for $2 million over unauthorised sample