Jay Z Testified in ‘Big Pimpin” Trial Today

According to the website, the first day of trial began with an attorney representing the heirs of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, accusing Jay Z and Timbaland of misusing Hamdi’s “Khosara, Khosara” on “Big Pimpin'”.

Lawyer Christine Lepera said Timbaland used Hamdy’s 1957 Egyptian tune Khosara, Khosara as a chorus loop for Big Pimpin’ without realizing it was owned by EMI Music Arabia.

“He wrote a few lyrics”, Bart said, arguing that Carter had nothing to do with the sampled melody line.

“Timba is known for not using samples”, Jay Z told the jury of six men and two women now hearing the civil lawsuit in federal court.

Fahmy is now seeking a cut of the song’s profits, arguing that only his uncle’s family – not EMI Music Arabia – hold exclusive licensing rights according to Egyptian law.

The rap star said much of his music is based on the experiences of people he knows, and he counted the late New York artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, the comedian Richard Pryor and filmmaker Quentin Tarantino as influences.

Jay Z, real name Shawn Carter, took the witness stand on Wednesday and maintained he and his producer pal had the licence to include the Arabic composition on Big Pimpin. “I tell him my raps are better than his beats”, Jay Z said. “There would be no reason for me thinking to clear the song”, he said.

The producer and many in the courtroom laughed.

The Associated Press also reports that lawyers for Timbaland and Jay Z denied that “moral rights” were at issue in the case and said that Hamdi’s heirs had been paid repeatedly for the use of “Khosara Khosara”.

He also hailed Timbaland a “genius” for coming up with beats which transcend genres.

The outlet says Fahmy’s attorney, Peter Ross, claims Carter “purposefully avoided”, obtaining permission because they were aware their song’s lyrics would not be approved by Hamdi’s reps. He said the song featured “adult lyrics” and he still enjoyed performing it.

“I’m considering it is free music, free songs, and I sampled it”, Timbaland stated throughout his hour-and-a-half testimony.