Lil Nas X Called Out By Fiona Apple Over Sample: "Where's My Money"

BY Erika Marie 11.7K Views
Link Copied to Clipboard!
Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images, Amanda Edwards/WireImage/Getty Images
Lil Nas X, Fiona Apple
She also called him a "cute little guy."

We're becoming accustomed to "run me my check" news where people go after artists who they claim owe them a penny or two, but Fiona Apple wasn't at the top of anyone's list of debt collectors. Recently, the Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter sat down for an interview with New York Magazine and discussed her 2012 single "Every Single Night." Fiona shared that she rejected pop group Panic! At the Disco's request to sample the track (she noted that lead singer Brendan Urie called her a "b*tch" over it) but there was apparently more to her comments that didn't make it into the publication.

Addressing the allegedly removed remarks, Fiona shared a video of herself asking Lil Nas X why she hasn't received a check yet. "The one thing that the lovely Rachel Handler didn't mention that I did say in the interview, which I would just like to say now is: Lil Nas X, you're probably really great," she said. "But you used my song 'Every Single Night,' too. You sampled that song, too, in a song called 'Kim Jong Un,' I think. And, um, hey, where's my money? You cute little guy. Where's my money?"

Last year, Lil Nas X dropped his mixtape Nasarati where he sampled Fiona's song on his track "Kim Jong." It is true that many artists often use samples liberally for mixtapes as they're distributed as free materials, but it becomes a slippery legal slope and can result in lawsuits if not approached carefully. Check out Fiona's half-serious, half-joking video clip below.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

Comments 8
Page was generated in 1.2148718833923