Hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has filed a lawsuit against Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of defamation, civil extortion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit comes after the dismissal of a rape case filed against Jay-Z and fellow music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs in October 2024. Jay-Z claims that the false allegations, strategically filed the night before his daughter Blue Ivy’s highly anticipated Mufasa: The Lion King movie premiere, caused significant personal and financial harm, including the loss of $20 million in business contracts.
The original lawsuit, brought by a plaintiff identified as Jane Doe, accused Jay-Z and Diddy of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The accusations shocked the entertainment industry, attracting media attention and damaging Jay-Z’s reputation.
However, on February 14, 2025, the case was dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be brought again. In response, Jay-Z stated, “The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. The lawsuit was without merit and never going anywhere.”
Jay-Z maintains that the timing of the lawsuit was deliberate and malicious, aimed at placing him in a no-win situation. “I felt that Mr. Buzbee was placing a gun to my head—that I either bow to his demands or endure personal and financial ruin,” he said.
He further claims that the lawsuit was filed just hours before Blue Ivy’s premiere, a moment he was excited to support as a proud father. Instead, the allegations threatened to overshadow the event. Jay-Z asserts that the scandal resulted in $20 million in lost contracts, as companies distanced themselves from him amid the controversy.
The rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist also described the intense emotional toll he faced, stating that he was forced into “hiding” to avoid negative media attention. He believes the lawsuit was a calculated attack on his character and legacy.
Through this lawsuit, Jay-Z seeks financial compensation and aims to set a legal precedent against attorneys who abuse the legal system for personal or professional gain.
