Prominent US rappers Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs have strongly denied allegations made in a lawsuit accusing them of drugging and raping a 13-year-old girl at a house party following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000.

The accuser, who filed anonymously under the pseudonym “Jane Doe,” alleges the assault occurred in the presence of an unnamed female celebrity. The lawsuit, initially filed in October, was refiled to include Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) as a defendant under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.

Allegations and Legal Action

According to the lawsuit, the accuser attended the party, signed what she believes was a non-disclosure agreement, and observed drug use, including cocaine. After consuming a drink that made her feel unwell, she alleges she went to lie down in a room where Mr. Combs, Mr. Carter, and the unnamed celebrity later entered.

The lawsuit claims Mr. Carter and Mr. Combs sexually assaulted her while the celebrity observed. The plaintiff states she managed to escape after fighting back.

The legal filing also asserts that the accuser suffers from long-term trauma, including post-traumatic stress disorder and depression, stemming from the alleged incident.

Jay-Z and Combs Respond

Jay-Z, in a social media statement, dismissed the allegations as a baseless extortion attempt. He criticized the plaintiff’s attorney, Tony Buzbee, accusing him of fabricating claims for financial gain.

“What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle,” Jay-Z stated. “It had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion.”

Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is already facing 30 lawsuits and criminal charges, denied the claims through his legal team. His representatives labeled the lawsuit a “shameless publicity stunt,” asserting that Mr. Combs is innocent and will be vindicated through the judicial process.

Tony Buzbee, the lawyer representing the accuser, has filed multiple lawsuits against Mr. Combs alleging assault and rape. The musician is scheduled for a criminal trial on May 5, 2025.

Both Jay-Z and Combs have expressed concerns about the impact of the allegations on their families. Jay-Z, who is married to Beyoncé, stated:
“My only heartbreak is for my family… I will have to sit my children down and explain the cruelty and greed of people.”

Taylor Swift closed her record-breaking Eras Tour with an emotional final show in Vancouver on Sunday, expressing gratitude to her fans for making it “the most exciting, powerful, electrifying, intense, most challenging” experience of her life.

Reflecting on her journey before performing All Too Well, Swift shared how her past 21 months on tour were unlike anything she’d experienced since beginning her career at 15. She singled out the unique tradition of fans exchanging handmade friendship bracelets, inspired by a lyric in You’re On Your Own Kid:

“I never thought that writing one line about friendship bracelets would have you guys all making them, making friends, and bringing joy to each other. That is the lasting legacy of this tour. I couldn’t be more proud of you.”

The bracelets became a symbol of camaraderie, traded by millions of fans and even exchanged with celebrities like Sir Paul McCartney during a London show.

Swift praised the sense of community her fans fostered, calling it a highlight of the tour:
“That is what I think about when I think about this tour.”

Fans reciprocated her sentiment by serenading her with Happy Birthday in advance of her 35th birthday next Friday, a moment celebrated by the tour’s official social media account:
“You guys even sang a happy early birthday to Taylor? We love you so much!”

Debbie Nelson, the mother of rap icon Eminem, has died at the age of 69, her death confirmed by the rapper’s representative, Dennis Dennehy. Nelson was known to have battled lung cancer, though the official cause of her death remains unconfirmed.

Nelson and Eminem shared a turbulent relationship that deeply influenced the artist’s early music. Songs like Cleanin’ Out My Closet brought their struggles to the public eye, with Eminem accusing her of neglect and substance abuse. Their strained bond led to a highly publicized defamation lawsuit in 1999, stemming from lyrics in My Name Is. Nelson later revealed it was her lawyer’s idea, and the case was settled for $25,000.

Despite years of discord, signs of reconciliation emerged over time. In his 2013 song Headlights, Eminem expressed regret for his harsh lyrics, apologizing to his mother. While they remained mostly estranged, Nelson publicly supported her son during key moments, including his 2022 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.

In 2008, Nelson published her memoir, My Son Marshall, My Son Eminem, sharing her perspective on their relationship and her heartbreak over his public accusations.

Eminem has yet to issue a statement regarding her passing, leaving fans reflecting on the complex bond between the two.