You've probably heard about the recent court hearings Jay Z and Timbaland have been faced with because of their 90s hit "Big Pimpin" as they have managed to use samples from a 1950's Egyptian classic "Khosara Khosara." However, that is not the only song to ever take some bits from MENA artists. Take a look:
1. Abdel Halim Hafez vs Jay Z
The first 10 seconds will say it all.
Khosara Khosara
Big Pimpin
2. Fairouz vs Madonna
A religious song by the one & only Fairouz taken and used for Madonna's Erotica . Really Madonna?
El Youm Oulika Ala Khachaba
Erotica
TUNE IN at 3:51
3. Najat Aatabou vs Chemical Brothers
Chemical Brothers' Galvanize features a string sample from Moroccan singer Najat Aatabou's Hadi Kedba Bayna, legally.
Hadi Kedba Bayna
Galvanize
4. Guitara vs Gangster
Ya Ghali is one of the most popular songs for Kuwaiti band, Guitara. Gangster just took it – minus the 2 letters from the music title.
Ya Ghali
Ya Ali
5. Amr Diab vs Tata Young
Focus on the chorus in Dhoom Machale, at 1:06
Enta Ma Oltesh Leih
Dhoom Machale
6. Amal Hijazi vs Dominique Hourani
NOOOO way, they have the exact same opening!
Ya La Lali Aman
Ah Ya Albi
7. Elissa vs Zeynep Cassalini
Ajmal Ihssas was released in 2002 whereas Dokunma Bana was released 4 years later in 2006. Obvious who who took from who.
Ajmal Ihssas
Dokunma Bana
8. Fairouz vs Jean Francois Michael
Jean Francois Michael adapted Fairouz's music in his French song ... well because her music is just awesome!
Habaitak Blsaif
Coupable
9. Warda vs Aaliyah
Uncredited samples from Algerian singer were taken by Aaliyah for her song Don't know what to tell ya . Well, I don't know what to tell ya either.
Batwanis Beek
Don't Know What To Tell Ya
10. Jennifer Lopez vs Cyrine Abdelnour
This seems like Cyrine Abdelnour ripped of one of Jennifer Lopez's hits. Video is similar too. It has happened the other way around too.
Ain’t It Funny?
Law Bas Fe Eyni