Hip-hop mogul Shawn “Jay-Z” Carter has taken legal action against Texas-based attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of defamation, civil extortion, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
The lawsuit follows the dismissal of a r@pe 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, resulted in severe personal and financial damage including the loss of $20 million in business contracts.
The initial lawsuit, filed by a plaintiff known as Jane Doe, accused Jay-Z and Diddy of s£xually ass@ulting a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000.
The claims shocked the entertainment industry, drawing widespread media attention and putting Jay-Z’s reputation on the line.
However, on February 14, 2025, the case was voluntarily dismissed with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled in the future. In response, Jay-Z stated,
“The frivolous, fictitious, and appalling allegations have been dismissed. The lawsuit was without merit and never going anywhere.”
. The rap icon insists that the timing of the lawsuit was intentional and malicious, designed to force him into 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.”
According to Jay-Z, the lawsuit was strategically filed just hours before Blue Ivy’s big night at the premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King. As a proud father, he wanted to support his daughter’s milestone moment, but the allegations threatened to overshadow the event.
Jay-Z noted that the false allegations cost him $20 million in lost contracts. The scandal allegedly led to canceled business deals and endorsements, as companies distanced themselves amid the controversy.
The rapper, entrepreneur, and philanthropist also described the immense psychological strain he endured, stating that the lawsuit forced him into “hiding” to avoid the negative media attention. The emotional distress, he claims, was a calculated attack on his character and legacy.
His lawsuit seeks financial damages and aims to set a precedent against attorneys who misuse the legal system for personal or professional gain.