Last week, Jay Z and Timbaland were forced to appear in court over a copyright claim for the 2000 hit, “Big Pimpin.” Despite paying $100,000 to license the song from the estate (via a record label) of the Middle Eastern musician that they’d sampled back in 2001, the musician’s nephew filed a claim back in 2007, saying that permission to use the song was never properly granted by their family. After hearing testimonies from both Hov and Timbo, U.S. District Judge Christina A. Snyder has ruled that the man’s nephew didn’t have the right to sue, and has officially thrown out the case. Congrats, guys!
(Video) Jay Z & Timbaland Appear In Court For “Big Pimpin'” Infringement Lawsuit
After what has almost been a decade, the trial for a copyright infringement lawsuit, in which Jay Z, Timbaland and many other co-defendants are involved, is underway as of Tuesday, Oct. 13. The co-defendants are being accused – by the heirs of Baligh Hamdi, an Egyptian composer – of illegally sampling “Khosara, Khosara” for the 1999 hit single, “Big Pimpin’.” Check it out as Jay Z and Timbaland leave the courtroom.
Jay Z Hopes “Big Pimpin'” Lawsuit Doesn’t Reveal Finances Or Criminal Past
Jay Z made an attempt to dismiss all things leading up to the illegal sampling trial of “Big Pimpin’” – like depositions – but he could not stop the trial itself; it took eight years, but it doing down and the Brooklyn emcee doesn’t want the jury to review anything in connection to his criminal past, or his bank account. Find out more after the jump.
Timbaland & Jay Z’s “Big Pimpin'” Lawsuit Is Headed To Court After 8 Years!
After 8 long years, it looks like Timbaland and Jay Z’s lawsuit for “Big Pimpin’” will finally be heading to court. Back in 2006, Egyptian singer Abdel Halim Hafez, who was popular in the 1960s, sued Timbaland and Hov for allegedly stealing his song, “Khosara Khosara,” which was featured on a 1960 film titled Fata Ahlami. “They used it with a song that even by Jay Z’s own admission is very vulgar and base,” explained Fahmy’s lawyer, Keith Wesley. “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.” Everyone on behalf of Hafez’ estate is furious because they feel that Jay Z made the song loose it’s value and meaning by adding his degrading lyrics to it. “This case is a perfect example of the importance of the requirement that a copyright owner be afforded the opportunity to consider any potential sublicense of his copyright.” The most ironic part about the entire lawsuit is that back in 2011 when Hov appeared on “Decoded,” even he himself admitted that he’s disgusted by his extreme vulgar lyrics in “Big Pimpin’” track. “It was like, ‘I can’t believe I said that. And kept saying it. What kind of animal would say this sort of thing? Reading it is really harsh’.”
(Video) Confessions Of A Video Vixen: Melissa Ford Talks Rappers, Career Videos, & More!
Melissa Ford recently sat down with VH1 to answer questions about her career as a video vixen. The model spoke on working on past music videos and artists, specifically Jadakiss & Jay-Z. She confessed the ‘Big Pimpin’ video was the coolest video she had ever worked on and described how starring “Knock Yaself Out’ was a changing point in her career. Can I add that Miss Melissa is still just as beautiful as ever? To check out her interview, click below.
Jay Z Says No To The Deposition In “Big Pimpin” Lawsuit
When it boils down to one of his most talked about lawuits, Jay Z has no worries. Although, Osama Ahmed Fahmy is claiming that Jay and producer, Timbaland unlawfully used the samapling of his father’s “Khosara, Khosara” composition for the 2000 hit, “Big Pimpin,” the Brooklyn emcee has no plans on being deposed at any time during the proceedings. More details down bottom.
