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Something in the water day 2
Something in the water day 2
Photo Credit: Brian Ach/Getty Images for Something in the Water

Jay-Z and Timbaland Sued for $2 Million Over Unauthorized Sample

An 81-year-old soul singer claims Timbaland never paid him royalties from two '90s samples.

Timbaland and Jay-Z are being sued over two old samples

Soul singer Ernie Hines is suing the artists over a sample used in “Paper Chase” from Hard Knock Life and “Toe 2 Toe,” from Ginuwine’s album, 100% Ginuwine.

According to a report in The Blast, the 81-year-old singer filed a lawsuit against Jay-Z, Timbaland, Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings, Universal Music Group, and Sony Music and claims Timbaland never paid him for royalties from the two samples.

READ: How Rawkus' 'Soundbombing II' Launched a New Era of Independent Rap

The lawsuit alleges that Timbaland sampled Hines' 1969 song “Help Me Put Out the Flame (In My Heart)” and that he was “unaware” of the samples because he “does not listen to rap music.” Hines is suing for copyright infringement and demanding payment of $2 million.