Jidenna Talks “Classic Man”: No, It Doesn’t Sample Iggy Azalea’s “Fancy”
Since Jidenna arrived, he has been compared to Iggy Azalea. Listeners have said that his single “Classic Man” sounds like “Fancy,” to the point where an Azalea fan asked whether the former samples the latter. So earlier this week, Jidenna and his Wondaland Records boss Janelle Monae set the record straight: No, “Classic Man” doesn’t sample “Fancy.” The reason why Azalea is listed in the songwriting credits isn’t because she was involved in any way, but is in light of Robin Thicke‘s copyright infringement lawsuit regarding “Blurred Lines.”
“The truth is, we actually didn’t sample it. But ever since the decision of Robin Thicke and Pharrell, we believe that it was important to make sure that we are safe,” Jidenna said on HOT 97. (As host Ebro notes, though, Thicke says that the case filed by Marvin Gaye‘s estate is actually still ongoing.)
Jidenna’s “Classic Man” features Bay Area hip-hop production. That sparse mix of 808s and chants — that sound has crossed over in recent years nationwide in hip-hop and then pop, thanks to DJ Mustard and then, yes, “Fancy.” (Mustard even acknowledged that The Invisible Men‘s production on the latter sounds like his, though he didn’t seem to care too much.) As comparisons piled up, a fan point-blank asked Azalea whether “Classic Man” does sample “Fancy,” and the rapper said yes — she even earns a percentage of the song’s income.
Meanwhile, Jidenna says that that “Fancy” “sound” doesn’t even belong to Mustard, not when it has thrived in Bay Area hip-hop for so long now. Monae, being the label boss she is, summed up his argument with a touch of shade: “Hey, she steal from us, we steal back.”
Skip to 8:30 below to see Jidenna and Janelle Monae to talk “Classic Man,” DJ Mustard and Iggy Azalea below.
[via Stereogum]
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