Jay-Z, the billionaire music mogul and rapper, has been accused of sexually assaulting a teenage girl alongside fellow hip-hop entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs in the early 2000s. The allegations come at a time when Combs, who has faced significant legal challenges, finds himself embroiled in a growing series of accusations that include racketeering, sex trafficking, and other serious crimes.
In an amended lawsuit filed on Sunday, an Alabama woman, who is referred to as Jane Doe for anonymity, alleges that Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Combs drugged and raped her following an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in September 2000. The woman had already filed a lawsuit against Combs in October, claiming that the music mogul assaulted her. The new lawsuit includes Jay-Z in the accusations.
The incident reportedly took place at a private residence, which was allegedly owned by Combs. According to Doe’s account, she initially met a limousine driver associated with Combs, who allegedly suggested she was the type of girl Combs preferred. The driver instructed her to return later that evening. When she did, she was taken to an after-party and asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement before being given a drink that made her feel dizzy. She claimed she later woke up to find herself in a bedroom with Combs and Jay-Z, and the assault allegedly took place soon after.
In response to the allegations, Jay-Z denied any wrongdoing, describing the lawsuit as an attempt at blackmail. A statement provided by his representative, Jana Fleishman, rejected the accusations and characterized the lawsuit as “baseless.” This statement was issued shortly after the amended legal filing, which detailed the woman’s account of the alleged assault.
These new allegations come during a turbulent period for Combs, who was arrested in September on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking, and other criminal activities. Combs is currently being held in the Special Housing Unit at Brooklyn’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting his trial set for May 5, 2025. In federal court documents, Combs is accused of operating a “criminal enterprise” through his business ventures, which allegedly involved serious offenses such as kidnapping, arson, and forced labor.
The woman’s lawsuit describes a disturbing sequence of events, claiming that after drinking a “bitter” beverage, she began to feel woozy and entered a bedroom to lie down. Soon after, Combs and Jay-Z allegedly entered the room with another unnamed celebrity. According to the lawsuit, Combs told the woman she was “ready to party” before pushing her toward Jay-Z, who allegedly sexually assaulted her. The suit further claims that Combs attempted to force oral sex on the woman, but when she resisted, he stopped. The plaintiff then left the residence, eventually calling her father from a nearby gas station.
While Jay-Z has firmly denied the allegations, the lawsuit continues to draw attention to both him and Combs, who are both facing separate legal battles that could have significant ramifications on their public careers and business empires. With legal proceedings still underway for Combs and the ongoing legal process for Jay-Z, the outcome of these cases remains to be seen.
The case highlights growing concerns about the treatment of women in the entertainment industry, particularly the allegations of abuse and exploitation by powerful figures. As more women come forward with their stories, it remains to be seen whether these high-profile cases will lead to broader changes in how such claims are handled within the industry.