Jay Z Testifies in "Big Pimpin’" Trial: "I Didn’t Think There Was A Sample In It"
In a lawsuit more than four years in the making, Jay Z has finally testified in a dispute over his hit 1999 song “Big Pimpin'”, in which a relative of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdy claimed he made a “moral rights” breach.
As previously reported, in 2011 California federal judge Christina Snyder ruled that Hamdy’s relative Osama Ahmed Fahmy could proceed with a lawsuit claiming that “Big Pimpin'”‘s use of a sample from Hamdy’s 1957 song “Khosara, Khosara” violates Hamdy’s “moral rights”, per Egyptian law. (The song was produced by Timbaland.) Fahmy’s lawsuit contended that only the full, unaltered version of “Khosara, Khosara” could be legally licensed; since the use of the song in “Big Pimpin'” is an altered sampled loop, under Egyptian “moral rights” law, Jay-Z would have had to acquire permission from all four of Hamdy’s children, who the song’s rights were passed down to when Hamdy passed away in 1993.
Now, the New York Times reports that Jay Z told the jury today that he believes he has a valid license to use the song. (“I didn’t think there was a sample in it,” Billboard reports him saying, “Timbaland presented me with a track. I didn’t even think about there being a sample.”)
According to the report, Jay Z testified for 90 minutes and gave mostly “yes” or “no” answers, though he did get cheeky when asked about Kanye West, Rihanna, and other artists he had fostered. “Some people may have heard of him,” Carter’s attorney, Andrew Bart, said of West the in the Times: “‘One or two,’ Carter responded. ‘He’s running for president.'”
Lawyers for Carter and Timbaland reportedly told jurors that Hamdi’s family has been repeatedly paid for the use of the “Khosara Khosara” sample, which a music expert testified contains four notes from the song’s 74.
When asked why he didn’t check out the “Khosara Khosara” rights, he replied, “That’s not what I do. I make music.” When attorney Andrew Bart had him elaborate, he reportedly expounded: “I make music, I’m a rapper, I’ve got a clothing line, I run a label, a media label called Roc Nation, with a sports agency, music publishing and management. Restaurants and nightclubs … I think that about covers it.”
As Billboard reports, Bart then inquired: “I’m not so sure. You have a music streaming service [Tidal], don’t you?”
“Yeah, yeah. Forgot about that,” he rejoined.
Later, Timbaland’s attorneys brought out a keyboard for the producer to compose a beat in the courtroom, so that he could demonstrate for the jury the “relative unimportance of ‘Khosara Khosara’ in ‘Big Pimpin,’” but technical problems prevented that. As a result, Timbaland reportedly beatboxed the song instead, “to demonstrate the importance in his productions of the beat, not the samples”.
Defense lawyers are expected to begin their case today, as the dispute continues.
Jay-Z: “Big Pimpin'”:
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In the music industry, the background behind a name often holds a significant weight, and Deja’s is intertwined deeply with her familial ties. Her music doesn’t just offer sound; it provides listeners with resonance, a shared experience that taps into the emotional fabric of the listener. This personal touch has become a beacon for her brand and her music, positioning her as an artist with a story to tell, a history to honor, and a future to shape.
Commanding the Stage: Performance as a Reflection of the Artist
A major theme from the discussion centered around Deja’s approach to performance. Stating that music comes as “first nature,” it’s evident that her on-stage persona is where she truly shines. Describing her performances, Deja says, “I give a lot of cocky energy. When I get on the stage, I usually bring my dancers, I have, you know, the flashy custom outfits… it makes them feel good, and for it to make them feel like they really that b\*\*\*h.”
This attitude exemplifies the confidence and showmanship that Deja brings to her craft, setting her apart in a crowded industry. The energy of a live performance, where the artist and audience feed off each other’s enthusiasm, is particularly crucial for Deja. Each show becomes an intimate conversation between them, a shared moment of empowerment and celebration of talent. It’s in these details that Deja’s commitment to her artistry, and her desire to elevate the music experience, shines brightest.
A Nexus of Creativity: Beyond Music
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The Future Sounds of Success: Deja’s Continual Growth
As the conversation turned towards future prospects, Deja Destinée laid out her vision of evolving within the industry and her plans to be a game-changer. With new music on the horizon, including the engagingly titled single “ATE”, and a role in the upcoming film premiere set for June 6th at Newark Cinema, Deja’s grind is relentless.
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Deja’s narrative is one that is building upon the foundations of authenticity, perseverance, and an uncompromising vision for what she wants to achieve. With a solid grounding in the values instilled in her name and approach to music, the future beckons with infinite possibilities, each one an opportunity to further the imprint of Deja Destinée on the world.
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