Jay-Z Sues Attorney Tony Buzbee and Jane Doe Over ‘False’ Rape Allegations

Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter has filed a lawsuit against the woman who accused him of sexual assault and her attorney, Tony Buzbee, alleging that the claims were knowingly false and part of an extortion scheme. Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Alabama, the lawsuit contends that Jane Doe and her legal team conspired to extract a financial settlement while publicly defaming him.

Jane Doe initially filed a lawsuit against Sean "Diddy" Combs in October 2023, accusing him of drugging and raping her when she was 13 years old at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty in 2000. The original lawsuit alluded to an unnamed "male celebrity" as a co-assailant. In December, she amended the complaint to name Jay-Z.

Carter’s lawsuit claims that before Jane Doe identified him publicly, Buzbee sent a "blatantly extortionate" demand letter seeking a financial settlement in exchange for keeping his name out of the case. "This was an evil conspiracy to leverage knowingly false accusations to force a multimillion-dollar settlement," the suit alleges.

Jay-Z further contends that Jane Doe later admitted to his legal team that the allegations were untrue but that Buzbee continued pushing the case regardless. "Jane Doe knew these allegations were false, and she told Buzbee they were false. But he pushed her to go forward with the false narrative," the lawsuit states. It also argues that the accusations resulted in reputational damage and lost business opportunities, with Carter estimating that Roc Nation lost at least $20 million in annual revenue due to the case.

Buzbee has dismissed Carter’s lawsuit as baseless. "Shawn Carter’s investigators have repeatedly harassed, threatened, and harangued this poor woman for weeks, trying to intimidate her and make her recant her story. She hasn’t, and won’t. Instead, she has stated repeatedly that she stands by her claims," Buzbee said in a statement.

He further accused Jay-Z’s team of attempting to silence Jane Doe. "These same group of investigators have been caught on tape offering to pay people to sue me and my firm," he added. "This is just another attempt to intimidate and bully this poor woman that we will deal with in due course. We won’t be bullied or intimidated by frivolous cases."

Jane Doe has also responded, standing by her allegations. "I was approached by people claiming to be investigators for Jay-Z, and they tried to pressure me into signing documents recanting my claims. I refused," she said. She denied admitting to fabricating her allegations and maintained that she will fight the case.

Carter’s legal team has requested that Jane Doe remain anonymous in court filings, citing her history of mental illness and self-harm. His lawsuit seeks damages for defamation, malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and civil conspiracy, arguing that the false allegations have caused severe damage to his career and personal life.

Usher to Receive Honorary Doctorate, Deliver Keynote at Emory University Commencement

 

Usher at the 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Dinner. 

Grammy-winning R&B icon Usher Raymond IV is adding another prestigious honor to his legacy — an honorary doctorate from Emory University.

The multi-platinum artist, philanthropist, and entrepreneur will also serve as the commencement speaker for Emory’s 180th graduation ceremony on May 12 in Atlanta.

Emory announced the news on February 27, with University President Gregory L. Fenves highlighting Usher’s profound impact on music, culture, and community service.

“There are few artists in the history of popular music who have innovated as ceaselessly as Usher,” Fenves said. “Through acclaimed albums, era-defining songs, global tours, and live performances that showcase his peerless talent as a singer, songwriter, and dancer, Usher has connected profoundly with generations of fans, building a dedicated audience that continues to grow.”

A Legacy Beyond Music

Usher, who moved to Atlanta at age 12 to pursue his music career, has spent three decades at the forefront of R&B and pop music. Since his self-titled debut album in 1994, he has delivered nine No. 1 hits on the Billboard Hot 100, including timeless classics like “U Got It Bad,” “Yeah!,” “Burn,” “My Boo” and “OMG.”

The eight-time Grammy winner has continued to evolve, headlining the 2024 Super Bowl Halftime Show and bringing Atlanta culture to a global audience through his sold-out Las Vegas residency from 2021-2023.

Beyond his trailblazing career in music, Usher has cemented his place as a philanthropist and mentor to young people. In 1999, he founded Usher’s New Look  an Atlanta-based nonprofit that has guided over 55,000 under-resourced teens through mentorship, leadership training, financial literacy education and career development.

Through a longstanding partnership with Emory University, Usher’s foundation has worked to empower students with the resources they need to succeed in high school, college, and beyond.

“New Look fills a critical need by stepping up to help students realize their potential,” Fenves noted. “Emory University has been proud to partner with this incredible organization over the years.”

Usher Reflects on the Honor

As he prepares to address Emory’s Class of 2024, Usher expressed his excitement about sharing his journey and inspiring graduates.

“I have spent my life following my spark — my passion — and trying to support young people as they find and follow their own passions,” Usher said. “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to speak to these incredible Emory students as they graduate and prepare to make their mark on the world.”

Wu-Tang Clan Announces ‘Final Chamber’ Tour With Run the Jewels

Photo Credit: Kyle Christy

Wu-Tang Clan is forever — but their days of touring together may finally be coming to a close.

The hip-hop collective has embarked on what they are calling "Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber", a farewell tour that kicks off June 6 in Baltimore and wraps up July 18 at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia. Along the way, the tour will hit major cities across North America, including Los Angeles, Houston, Toronto, and, of course, their hometown of Staten Island before finishing in Newark, New Jersey.

The tour, which will feature Run the Jewels as the opening act, comes as Wu-Tang marks the 30th anniversary of "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)," the groundbreaking debut album that redefined hip-hop.

Wu-Tang Clan co-founder RZA shared his excitement for the final tour, reflecting on the group's decades-long legacy and their bond with fans.

“Wu-Tang Clan has shown the world many chambers throughout our career; this tour is called The Final Chamber. This is a special moment for me and all my Wu brothers to run around the globe together one more time and spread the Wu swag, music, and culture,” RZA said.

Promising to deliver a once-in-a-lifetime experience, he added:

"On this tour we’re playing songs we’ve never played before to our audience, and me and our production team have designed a Wu-Tang show unlike anything you’ve ever seen.”

Hip-hop fans and fellow artists have shared their reactions online, with Run the Jewels' Killer Mike offering a personal reflection on Wu-Tang’s impact on his career:

"The GZA took me on tour and gave me Godbody game. The Chef, Ghost, and Cap had my petty ass running errands just to be in their presence. To hit the road with The Wu is a dream come true," he wrote.

Tickets went on sale last Friday, and some dates have already sold out. Fans hoping to witness Wu-Tang’s final run are encouraged to secure tickets before it’s too late.

Full Tour Dates:

• June 6 – Baltimore, MD – CFG Bank Arena
• June 7 – Raleigh, NC – PNC Arena
• June 8 – Tampa, FL – Amalie Arena
• June 9 – Atlanta, GA – State Farm Arena
• June 12 – Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
• June 13 – Houston, TX – Toyota Center
• June 14 – Austin, TX – Moody Center
• June 15 – Tulsa, OK – BOK Center
• June 18 – Phoenix, AZ – Footprint Center
• June 19 – Ontario, CA – Toyota Arena
• June 20 – San Diego, CA – Pechanga Arena
• June 21 – Los Angeles, CA – Kia Forum
• June 23 – San Francisco, CA – Chase Center
• June 25 – Sacramento, CA – Golden 1 Center
• June 26 – Seattle, WA – Climate Pledge Arena
• June 27 – Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena
• June 28 – Portland, OR – Moda Center
• June 30 – Greenwood Village, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
• July 3 – Chicago, IL – United Center
• July 5 – Detroit, MI – Little Caesars Arena
• July 6 – Columbus, OH – Nationwide Arena
• July 9 – Boston, MA – TD Garden
• July 11 – Laval, QC – Place Bell
• July 12 – Toronto, ON – Scotiabank Arena
• July 14 – New York, NY – Madison Square Garden
• July 18 – Philadelphia, PA – Wells Fargo Center

As the Wu-Tang Clan prepares for one final run, one thing is certain: Wu-Tang is forever, but this tour won’t be.