Jay-Z firmly denies rape allegations, labelling them as blackmail, and challenges the accuser’s lawyer to pursue a criminal complaint instead.

American rapper Sean Carter, popularly known as Jay-Z, has strongly denied allegations accusing him of raping a 13-year-old girl in 2000 alongside disgraced music mogul Sean Combs, also known as Diddy.

The allegations were brought forward in a civil lawsuit filed by lawyer Tony Buzbee.

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In a statement shared via his social media accounts on Sunday, Jay-Z dismissed the claims as “false and blackmail,” and challenged Buzbee to pursue a criminal complaint instead of a civil lawsuit.

Jay-Z explained that his legal team received what he described as a “blackmail attempt” in the form of a demand letter. He criticised Buzbee’s tactics, stating:

“What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle. No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a very public fashion. So no, I will not give you one red penny!”

The rapper went on to emphasise the severity of the allegations, urging for proper legal action if the accusations held any merit. He added:

“These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree? These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.”

The accusations have emerged amidst ongoing legal troubles involving Diddy, a longtime ally of Jay-Z. In September, Diddy was arrested by Homeland Security on suspicion of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and interstate transportation for prostitution.