Nina Simone’s people don’t play that. They’re accusing HTC of using the late, great singer’s hit “Sinnerman” without proper permission.
Nina Simone’s 1965 hit “Sinnerman” is an R&B classic … but that doesn’t mean a phone company can boldly rip it off … so her heirs are suing for $1 Mil minimum … TMZ has learned.
The lawsuit — filed by Simone’s estate — accuses smartphone company HTC of using her song in its TV commercial without obtaining the rights.
“Sinnerman,” from Simon’s Pastel Blues album, was famously sampled by Kanye West for Talib Kweli’s hit “Get By,” which got the proper sample clearance.
via HipHopWired
