Jay Z Going On Trial Over Song Rights, Asks Judge To Prohibite Mention Of His Criminal Past And Bank Balances

Jay Z wants to keep his rap sheet and bank balances out of an upcoming civil trial. The hip-hop superstar has asked a California judge to bar any mention of his criminal past during a trial that charges he swiped a song sample for his smash “Big Pimpin’,” TMZ reported Tuesday.

 

Jay Z's numerous crime past includes the 1999 arrest for allegedly stabbing a rival record producer. He wound up taking a misdemeanor assault plea. The millionaire rapper, Shawn Carter, but known as Jay Z also wants the trial kept far away from his bank balances and his businesses.

 

The upcoming court case is about a relative of an Egyptian composer named Baligh Hamdi in 2007, saying they {Jay Z and Timberland} ripped off his 1960 song “Khosara, Khosara.” Timbaland who is also involved in the case has said in court papers that he thought he Jay Z bought the rights.

 

Both Jay Z and Timbaland are expected to testify in the trial, which is slated to start next month, according to nydailynews.com