The Arabian Prince, a member of ferocious rap crew N.W.A. has threatened to sue R&B singer Fergie after she released a track that allegedly contained a uncleared sample of his work.
In their short life, N.W.A became America’s most controversial group. Second album ‘Straight Outta Compton’ saw the band take on all comers – the police, other rap crews and even each other.
With Dr Dre supplying the beats, the group’s work was an instant sensation selling over nine million copies of ‘Straight Outta Compton’ without any airplay.
The Arabian Prince rapped with the group early in their career, helping form the crew before departing for a solo career. The rapper alleges that Fergie’s track ‘Fergilicious’ borrows from his song ‘Supersonic’.
The suit was filed on March 9th in the Supreme Court of the State of New York and claims that Tamika Wright, Jerry Heller and Ruthless Records used a sample without clearing the legal right to do so.
According to the suit The Arabian Prince – whose real name is Kim Nazel – owns 20% of the track, and is owed royalties from the song. According to allhiphop.com Nazel has been trying to regain his rights for some time, but the label has blocked him.
