Jay Z is currently embroiled in a court case over accusations he sampled a 1957 song without permission for his hit ‘Big Pimpin’.
Rather than testifying with any whiff of an ego, the rapper has been making the court chuckle during his ‘Big Pimpin’ copyright case.
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 this week – 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.
However, the ’99 Problems’ hitmaker insists he properly negotiated the use of the track and had repeatedly paid to use it and ran the necessary credits in the album sleeve.
He explained: “We have the rights as you can see on the bottom of the CD.”
