Jay-Z, the billionaire rapper and cultural icon, has been named alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs in a lawsuit alleging the rape of a minor at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards after-party. The accuser, who is anonymous in the lawsuit, claims that Combs, Jay-Z, and another celebrity witnessed or participated in the assault. The lawsuit, which was initially filed in Texas this October and only named Combs, was refiled in New York.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, has categorically denied the allegations, calling them part of a “sprawling extortion saga” orchestrated by the accuser’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee. In a motion to dismiss, Carter’s legal team claimed the accusations were “cynical and calculated” attempts to extract a financial settlement without regard for the truth. He also requested the court compel the accuser to reveal their identity, arguing for fairness in the defense process.
“Defendant Shawn Carter has built an impeccable reputation. He has never been accused of, let alone engaged in, any sexual misconduct,” the motion stated. Representatives for Jay-Z have yet to respond publicly beyond the court filings.
The allegations come at a time when Jay-Z’s influence extends far beyond music. Known for his eclectic tastes and investments, he is listed among the ARTnews Top 200 collectors, alongside his wife, Beyoncé. The couple’s collection includes works by Damien Hirst, Laurie Simmons, and Hebru Brantley, and Jay-Z’s lyrics frequently reference iconic artists like Jean-Michel Basquiat and Jeff Koons. In 2013, he made headlines with a six-hour performance of his song “Picasso Baby” at Pace Gallery in New York, which was attended by major figures in the art world.
Last year Jay-Z was honored at the Brooklyn Public Library with a free exhibition called “The Book of Hov” which features images, ephemera and artwork from Jay-Z’s archive. As part of the exhibition the main branch of the Brooklyn public library was covered in lyrics from Jay-Z’s hits including Hovi Baby, So Ambitious, and Dirt Off Your Shoulder.
Earlier this year, Combs, meanwhile, was charged with sexual assault and sex trafficking. The lawsuit, also filed in New York, accuses the rapper of “kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes through the use of firearms and threats of violence.” Some of the allegations against Combs date as far back as 1991.
As of December 3 there are more than 30 lawsuits against Combs alleging sexual assault, harassment, and sex trafficking.
