Jay-Z is firing back at explosive allegations that he raped a 13-year-old girl alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. The rap icon and mogul released a fiery statement denying the claims while calling into question the motives of attorney Tony Buzbee, who represents the accuser in the lawsuit.
“My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a lawyer named Tony Buzbee,” Jay-Z wrote in his statement. “What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!”
Jay-Z went on to criticize the nature of the claims and urged for criminal charges to be filed if the accusations were true. “These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one! Whoever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?” he stated.
Jay-Z also expressed heartbreak over the toll the allegations have taken on his family, including his children. “My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence.”
Jay-Z’s firm denial sets the stage for a high-profile legal battle, as the music mogul appears ready to publicly fight the claims and defend his reputation.