Jay Z told a jury Wednesday that he believes he has a valid license to use Arabic music featured on his 1999 hit "Big Pimpin'" that is now the subject of a copyright infringement trial.
The rap superstar spent roughly 90 minutes testifying in a federal courtroom Wednesday, recounting his life, his successes and the creative process that led him and music producer Timbaland to create "Big Pimpin'," which was his first major hit single.
Jay Z and Timbaland are being sued by an heir of Baligh Hamdi, an Egyptian composer who created the 1957 hit "Khosara Khosara" that has elements featured in the rapper's hit.
The rapper, whose real name is Shawn Carter, used one of his old CDs – introduced into evidence by a lawyer for Hamdi's family – to illustrate his point.
"We have the rights as you can see on the bottom of the CD," Carter told jurors, referencing liner notes that credits "Khosara Khosara."
The rapper mixed his testimony with no-nonsense, one-word answers, humility about his success and humorous moments.
When Pete Ross, the lawyer for Hamdi's nephew, attempted to show him a passage in a book Carter had written about his lyrics, the performer wryly said, "You can read it from over there."
The courtroom burst into laughter, as it did again when Carter was asked by his own attorney about artists whose careers he had fostered, including Rihanna, J. Cole and Kanye West.
"Some people may have heard of him," Carter's attorney, Andrew Bart, said of West.
"One or two," Carter responded. "He's running for president."
The rapper was more serious when questioned about the rights to "Khosara Khosara," which he said he thought had been properly negotiated after issues were raised following the release of "Big Pimpin'."
Carter gave mostly curt answers, responding "yes" or "no" or "correct" to many questions.
Lawyers for Carter and Timbaland, whose real name is Timothy Mosley, told jurors on Tuesday that Hamdi's family had been repeatedly paid for the use of "Khosara Khosara." Four notes from the song's 74 notes are repeated throughout "Big Pimpin'," a music expert testified Wednesday.
Carter said Mosley introduced the "Khosara Khosara" melody to him just as he was about to leave a meeting. He said there wasn't anything like it on the radio at the time, and he put together the bulk of the song over the next few hours.
The rapper said he likes working with Timbaland because they push each other.
"He tells me his beats are better than my raps. I tell him my raps are better than his beats," Carter said. "It's an ongoing thing that I keep winning."
Mosley and many in the courtroom laughed.
Carter sang the producer's praises, calling him a genius whose work transcends any one genre.
Jurors on Wednesday also heard from experts on Egyptian law and a videotaped deposition of Hamdi's nephew, Osama Ahmed Fahmy. Fahmy testified that he never contacted Carter, Mosley or numerous music companies he sued before filing suit in 2007, calling the case "the work of an attorney."
Defense lawyers are expected to begin their case on Thursday.
Ross has accused Carter of lacing vulgar lyrics over Hamdi's beautiful melody without receiving the proper permission, although "Big Pimpin's" lyrics are not an issue in the case.
Carter declined to say Wednesday that the song, which is about leading a promiscuous lifestyle, was vulgar. He said the song featured "adult lyrics" and he still enjoyed performing it.
"I like the song," Carter said. "It's pretty good."
