Jay Z and Timbaland are headed to court over their 1999 hit, "Big Pimpin" off Jay's album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter. The record is an iconic one, mainly because of the sample Timbaland used-- and it's that same sample that's now coming back to haunt the duo.
At the time the track was recorded and released, Timbo paid EMI $100,000 for use of the Middle Eastern song "Khosara, Khosara," composed by Baligh Hamdy. EMI claimed to have the rights to the song via a deal with an Egyptian company and an agreement with Hamdy's family.
Hamdy's nephew, Osama Ahmed Fahmy, filed a lawsuit against Timbo, Hov and outlets that used the music for promotional purposes back in 2007-- but it's just now received a date to go to trial, on October 13th, where both Jay and Timbaland are expected to testify.
Fahmy's side relies on intricacies of Egyptian law in their suit, claiming, "The evidence will show that the defendants did not enter into valid agreements that 'expressly and in detail' — including indicating the range, purpose, and period and place of exploitation — convey the right to use 'Khosara, Khosara' in 'Big Pimpin'. The evidence will also show that the defendants did not obtain the consent of the author or his heirs to introduce modifications in or additions to 'Khosara Khosara'; therefore, any license to economically exploit 'Khosara Khosara' in 'Big Pimpin' would be null and void."
We'll keep you posted as the case heads to trial.