Jay-Z is making it clear—he won’t stand for false allegations tarnishing his legacy. The hip-hop mogul has officially filed a lawsuit against attorney Tony Buzbee, accusing him of civil extortion, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress after Buzbee represented an anonymous plaintiff who accused Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of sexual assault.
This legal battle comes after the lawsuit against Jay-Z and Combs was dismissed with prejudice—meaning it cannot be refiled. Jay-Z asserts that Buzbee’s actions were a calculated attack, designed to cause personal and professional harm.
The Allegations and Lawsuit That Rocked the Industry
The case first surfaced in October 2024, when an unnamed woman alleged that she was sexually assaulted by Combs and Jay-Z at a New York City residence following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Two months later, Jay-Z’s name was added to the suit, further escalating the controversy.
Jay-Z believes the timing of the lawsuit was strategic—coming right before his daughter, Blue Ivy Carter, had her big premiere for Mufasa: The Lion King. The billionaire rapper claimed in court documents that Buzbee aimed to force him into choosing between supporting his daughter and avoiding negative press.
“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,” Jay-Z stated in his declaration.
Despite the legal battle, Jay-Z remained steadfast, and in February 2025, Buzbee and attorney Antigone Curis voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit with prejudice, essentially closing the case permanently.
Jay-Z Says False Accusations Cost Him $20 Million in Contracts
Beyond the damage to his reputation, Jay-Z has revealed that these baseless accusations have cost him millions in lost business deals. According to court filings, the rapper and entrepreneur estimates a $20 million financial hit, impacting various ventures and endorsements.
Legal experts note that high-profile defamation and civil extortion cases like this can have long-lasting consequences, especially when they involve celebrity figures with multimillion-dollar business empires.
Jay-Z Calls Lawsuit Dismissal a ‘Victory’ for His Family
Following the dismissal of the lawsuit, Jay-Z issued a statement via Roc Nation’s X account, expressing relief and emphasizing the toll the ordeal took on his wife, Beyoncé, and their three children.
He referred to the court ruling as a “victory” but also highlighted the mental and emotional strain these false accusations caused.
“These allegations caused trauma for my wife and three children,” Jay-Z said in his statement.
Legal analysts say this lawsuit is likely just the beginning of a larger conversation about the misuse of legal action in high-profile cases. Many fans and supporters of Jay-Z are applauding his decision to fight back rather than settle or ignore the false claims.