Jay-Z

An anonymous claimant accused Jay-Z and Sean Combs in a civil lawsuit of rape allegedly committed in 2000 when she was 13. Jay-Z categorically denied the accusation. On 14 February 2025, the claimant voluntarily dismissed the action with prejudice, preventing its refiling. Jay-Z subsequently brought several actions against lawyer Tony Buzbee and others, alleging extortion, defamation and malicious prosecution, among other claims. In California, his extortion and defamation claims were struck under anti-SLAPP rules, and the Court of Appeal upheld that outcome in September 2026. A separate federal action was transferred from Alabama to the Southern District of New York in March 2026, with motions to dismiss still pending at that time.

Following an altercation with producer Lance 'Un' Rivera at a Manhattan nightclub in December 1999, Jay-Z ultimately pleaded guilty to an assault offence in 2001 and was sentenced to three years' probation.

State of the evidence

Established by a court

Attribution

Personally implicated

Following a journalistic investigation alleging that Tidal artificially inflated streaming figures for certain albums, Norway's Økokrim authority opened an investigation. Jay-Z was Tidal's owner and a central figure at the time.

State of the evidence

Documented

The agreement between Roc Nation and the NFL covering entertainment and social justice initiatives prompted a strong response from Colin Kaepernick supporters, who criticised Jay-Z for cooperating with the league while the quarterback remained without a team.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The SEC was investigating Iconix Brand Group's financial disclosures and impairment charges, including those connected with Rocawear, a brand Jay-Z had sold to Iconix. Following several subpoenas, a federal judge ordered him to appear for testimony in May 2018.

State of the evidence

Documented

A multi-year dispute pitted Jay-Z and Timbaland against an heir of Egyptian composer Baligh Hamdi over use of a sample from 'Khosara Khosara' in 'Big Pimpin''. In 2015, a federal judge dismissed the case before the jury deliberated, finding that the claimant lacked standing to sue.

Attribution

Accused

Security footage made public after the 2014 Met Gala showed Solange Knowles hitting and kicking Jay-Z in a lift while Beyoncé was present. The incident prompted considerable media controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Jay-Z and Beyoncé's wedding anniversary trip to Cuba prompted requests for explanations from US lawmakers because Cuba was then subject to significant travel restrictions for US nationals.

State of the evidence

Documented

After Black customers accused Barneys New York of racial profiling, campaigners called on Jay-Z to cancel his commercial partnership with the retailer. He ultimately retained the project while negotiating a role in the store's internal policy review and allocating 100% of the profits from his collection to his foundation.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After the collapse of the joint 'Best of Both Worlds' tour, R. Kelly sued Jay-Z, the promoter and others for $75 million, alleging breach of contract and a threatening atmosphere, among other things. Jay-Z denied organising the pepper spray incident at Madison Square Garden and brought a counterclaim.

State of the evidence

Documented

In April 2001, Jay-Z and several men were detained after a loaded firearm was found in a vehicle in New York and were charged with criminal possession of a weapon.

Attribution

Personally implicated

Course of the proceedings

1. Formally charged — Formal charge before the current outcome