Jay Z has been making the court laugh during his ‘Big Pimpin’ copyright case.
The 45-year-old rapper is currently in the midst of a court case over accusations he sampled a 1957 song without permission but seemed in good spirits as he cracked a joke about Kanye West while testifying on Wednesday (14.10.15).
Speaking about his character to the jury, his lawyer Andrew Bart explained Jay – whose real name is Shawn Carter – has helped launch the careers of several artists including Rihanna and Kanye, adding: "Some people may have heard of him."
Prompting a laugh from the court, Jay added: "One or two. He’s running for president."
The trial – which began on Tuesday (13.10.15) – relates to a flute line sampled by the rapper and producer Timbaland for their 1999 hit, which the composer’s nephew, Osama Ahmed Fahmy, is seeking royalties for following his uncle’s death in 1993.
Osama claims the composer’s family would never have allowed ‘Khosara Khosara’ to be used if they had known about the profanities used in ‘Big Pimpin’, which is widely renowned as the track which rocketed Jay Z into mainstream music.
However, the ’99 Problems’ hitmaker insists he properly negotiated the use of the track and had repeatedly paid the composer’s family for the track.
Proving his acknowledgement of the track, he presented a copy of his fourth studio album ‘Vol. 3… Life and Times of S. Carter’ which references ‘Khosara Khosara’ in the sleeve credits.
He explained: "We have the rights as you can see on the bottom of the CD."
Jay Z making court laugh at copyright case
