Veteran rap icon Jay Z appeared in a Los Angeles court Wednesday after being accused of copyright infringement for music he used on the hook of his hit 1999 single "Big Pimpin."
According to ABC News, Jay Z spent about 90 minutes testifying that he believes he had a valid license to use elements of Arabic music that was originally created by Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi. Jay Z and hit producer Timbaland are being sued by Hamdi's heirs.
NY Daily News also reported the rapper, who's real name is Shawn Carter, claims that he had no idea it was based on the 1957 song "Khosara Khosara" and says the first time he heard the music was in a session with Timothy Mosley (Timbaland). According to reports Carter was humorous but also humble and courteous on the stand.
Additionally Jay Z used one of his CDs as evidence to prove his point, stating, "We have the rights as you can see on the bottom of the CD," referencing liner notes that credits Khosara Khosara.
Mosley also testified that he created a beat before adding the beginning of "Khosara Khosara" and said he found the song on a CD of Arabic music that was labeled "license free," going on to explain "I'm thinking it's free music, free songs, and I sampled it." He then gave a demonstration, according to a Reuters report.
"Big Pimpin" was the most successful song off his fourth album Vol. 3...Life and Times of S. Carter and peaked at No. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The defense lawyers are set to begin presenting their case on Thursday.