Jay Z testified on Wednesday he never knew his 1999 iconic hit "Big Pimpin" had a sample in it.

Billboard magazine reports the rap mogul said his partner Timbaland is known for rarely using samples, and he had no reason to think the occasion in question was any different. Both men are named as defendants in an infringement suit charging that the song contained beats from an old Egyptian tune known as "Khosara, Khosara."

Beyoncé's husband took the stand on the second day of testimony in the high-profile proceedings, which formally commenced eight years ago when Osama Fahmy, nephew of "Khosara" composer Baligh Hamdi, officially filed suit.

During his time on the stand, Jay Z, born Shawn Carter, laid out how the tune, which Rolling Stone rated as one of the 500 best of all time, first took form.

"He tells me his beats are better than my raps, I tell him my raps are better than his beats, and I keep winning," he joked of the first time he collaborated with Timbaland on the song. Later, he recalled the two listened to beats that included "Khosara, Khosara" and the rest became history.

As for ensuring the necessary legal steps were taken to make the song, Jay Z told the court, "That's not what I do. I make music."

In time, Timbaland also took the stand, telling the court he happened across the song on a CD of "license free" music. He later added he and Jay Z entered into an agreement to use the song with EMI Arabia in 2001, which claimed rights from a deal with Middle Eastern record label Sout El Phan.

"Legal just told me, '$100 grand and you're clear,'" he added. Under further questioning by his attorney Christine Lepera, Timbaland later said he would have never used the sample if he had any inkling questions remained about the legality of the deal.