Jay Z denies knowledge of sample during ‘Big Pimpin’ copyright trial

Nephew of Egyptian composer objects to 'vulgar and disgusting' use of sample

Jay-Z has said that he was unaware that there was an unauthorised sample in his 1999 hit ‘Big Pimpin’, which was produced by his long-term collaborator Timbaland.

The pair are being sued by Osama Fahmy, nephew of late Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi, who claims unauthorised use of his uncle’s work. The song allegedly sampled 1960 song ‘Khosara Khosara’, written by Hamdi for the film Fata Ahlami.

“I didn’t think there was a sample in it,” Jay Z said in court on Wednesday (October 14), according to The Hollywood Reporter. “Timbaland presented me with a track. I didn’t even think about there being a sample,” he continued, noting Timbaland is known for rarely sampling.

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Questioned why he didn’t think to check, the rapper replied: “That’s not what I do. I make music… There’s a team of hundreds of people [clearing samples] is their job. That’s not my job.”

Explaining why he continued to sell song even after being made aware of the offending sample, Jay Z said: “I was under the understanding we had a licence.”

The attorney of Timbaland, Christine Lepera, told jurors on Tuesday (October 13) that the producer initially used Hamdi’s work thinking it was royalty-free, he later paid $100,000 (£64,000) to EMI Music Arabia, who claimed rights to the sample.

On Wednesday, Timbaland claimed to have found the song on a licence-free CD, although he failed to remember the name of it or any other songs on the release.

Fahmy is reportedly upset with the content of the Jay Z track. His lawyer Keith Wesley recently told The Guardian: “They used it with a song that, even by Jay Z’s own admission, is very vulgar and base. That’s really why this is so significant to my client. They not only took music without paying. They’re using it in a song that is, frankly, disgusting.”

Hear both ‘Big Pimpin’ and ‘Khosara Khosara’ beneath.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNZ7RZd0nD0

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