Jay-Z and his wife, Beyoncé, faced death threats following a “malicious and fictitious” lawsuit that falsely accused the rapper of rape, according to a counter-suit filed by the artist.
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, claimed that Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, attacked a 13-year-old girl at a 2000 MTV Video Music Awards party, allegedly alongside Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs. However, the unnamed accuser voluntarily dismissed the case shortly after filing.
In response, Carter filed a lawsuit against the accuser’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, alleging that Buzbee’s public statements had caused significant harm, including violent threats against him and his wife. Court documents reveal that the couple received disturbing messages, with individuals making comments such as, “I can’t wait until you join (Combs) in prison… then later in hell.” Other comments labeled Carter as a “satanist,” “terrorist,” and “monster,” and included explicit death threats.
Carter further claimed that Buzbee intentionally filed the lawsuit on the eve of Beyoncé’s Mufasa premiere to force him into a difficult position—choosing between attending the event with his daughter or avoiding the media frenzy. The 55-year-old rapper described the allegations as “frivolous, fictitious, and appalling,” expressing relief after the case was dismissed. “Today is a victory,” he said, calling the legal battle a “laughable” but serious situation.
In his statement, Carter criticized the legal system for allowing such false accusations without consequences. “The trauma that my wife, my children, loved ones, and I have endured can never be dismissed,” he said. He also called on the courts to balance protecting victims with safeguarding the innocent from unwarranted accusations.
Meanwhile, Combs, who also faces multiple legal battles, continues to deny all accusations against him.
