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Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs have been prominent figures in the music industry for several decades. In the 1990s both artists incorporated their record labels, Bad Boy Records and Roc Nation, starting a "friendly rivalry" as both companies operated in New York.
Both music moguls seemingly joined forces in the late 1990s by collaborating on records and sharing praise for each other's work off the mic. Their relationship has come under public scrutiny after Jay-Z was named as a defendant in one of Diddy's s*xual misconduct and assault lawsuits.
On Sunday, Shawn Carter, professionally known as Jay-Z, was listed in a re-filed civil lawsuit from Texas lawyer Tony Buzbee. The lawsuit claimed that the rapper was involved in an assault case from 24 years ago.
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The Grammy-winning rapper was implicated in Tony Buzbee's amended lawsuit, originally filed in October, where Sean "Diddy" Combs was listed as the sole defendant. The filing lists the Roc Nation CEO as "Celebrity A" on the original complaint.
Sunday's filing now claims that both rappers supposedly "drugged and r*ped" a 13-year-old girl in New York. The incident reportedly occurred at Diddy's MTV Music Awards after-party in 2000.
The Guardian reports that before Jane Doe supposedly escaped to a nearby gas station, she was given something to drink that made her feel "woozy and lightheaded." She claims that both rappers allegedly "took turns" s*xually assaulting her.
While Diddy and his legal team maintain their innocence, having denied this claim and others calling them "shameless publicity stunts," Jay-Z provided a public statement to NBC News on Sunday evening.
"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 Roc Nation CEO cites having to sit down with his wife, Beyoncé, to explain the "cruelty and greed" behind these allegations to their children, Blue Ivy (12) and 7-year-old twins, Rumi and Sir.
"My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence," Jay-Z stated.
This lawsuit, filed under New York's Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act, lists the accuser as a "Jane Doe." Tony Buzbee has filed several lawsuits against Diddy over the past few months, many of which withhold the complainant's name.
Exploring Sean "Diddy" Combs and Jay-Z's relationship
Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs developed a close relationship throughout the 1990s, professionally working together for close to 30 years now.
From hit collaborations, like 1999's Do You Like It, Do You Want It, to hosting exclusive events and parties for some of Hollywood's biggest stars, both artists have played a major role in shaping hip-hop culture and its mainstream appeal.
With Jay-Z now being implicated in a filing of lawsuits against Sean Combs, who is currently being held in New York's Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, below is a complete timeline of their relationship:
July 1997 - Jay-Z's first collaboration on a Diddy record
After forming a close bond throughout the 90s, Shawn Carter and Sean Combs marked their first career collaboration on a record titled Young G's, alongside rising East Coast legend The Notorious B.I.G.
The song was included on the latter's debut studio album, No Way Out, released on July 22, 1997. The LP debuted at No.1 after selling close to 600,000 album units in its first week and went on to win "Best Rap Album" at the 1998 Grammy Awards.
August 1999 - Second career collaboration
A year after winning his first Grammy at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, Sean Combs teamed up with Jay-Z again for his sophomore studio album, Forever, released on August 24, 1999.
On Do You Like It....Do You Want It...., both artists go back and forth, speaking on their growing successes, flowing over the upbeat R&B production that samples Orange Krush's 1982 hit Single Action.
"Picture me ballin' in the drop top, open skies / In somethin' foreign, soarin', 145 / The God is callin' for my body, let my spirit fly / I want it all, uh, no lie / Picture me pourin' poppin' somethin' imported / Pedal floorin', clutch poppin', boppin' to Lauryn / Now picture me fallin," Jay-Z raps on 'Do You Like It....Do You Want It....'
December 1999 - Jay-Z and Diddy face "career-threatening" criminal cases
On December 2, 1999, Jay-Z and his entourage celebrated the success of his Vol. 2… Hard Knock Life album at Midtown's Kit Kat Klub as well as his headlining tour becoming the highest-grossing hip-hop tour in history.
The Roc Nation CEO seemingly got into an altercation with record producer Lance "Un" Rivera after Jay accused him of "distributing bootleg copies" of his then-upcoming album Vol. 3... Life and Times of S. Carter.
Jay-Z and his crew allegedly stabbed and beat Rivera with liquor bottles, leaving the Undead Recordings label head with shoulder and abdominal injuries. The rapper turned himself in and was arrested on two charges of first-degree assault.
Slightly over a year later, in October 2001, the Roc Nation CEO pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and was sentenced to three years of probation. Around the same time as Lance "Un" Rivera's assault, Diddy was riding high off the success of his sophomore studio album, Forever.
The music mogul seemingly engaged in an altercation with an individual while partying with former girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez. The argument escalated to where one of Sean's label signees, Shyne, fired two shots inside the nightclub, reportedly injuring three civilians.
While Diddy was arrested a few blocks away and charged with illegal possession of a concealed firearm, the rapper was acquitted and released. Shyne, however, was sentenced to 10 years in prison over assault charges stemming from the December 27 shooting at Manhattan's Club in New York.
2000 onwards - Diddy and Jay-Z become Billionaires
For the next 24 years, Sean and Jay would develop a strong working relationship with each other, spending time and money curating the strong hip-hop culture harbored on the East Coast.
Bad Boy Records and Roc Nation have become synonymous with massive artists who dominated the charts for years. Bad Boy paved the way for rappers and R&B performers, like The Notorious B.I.G. and Janelle Monáe, who pulled in massive numbers in the late 90s and early 2000s.
Roc Nation, on the other hand, has been credited for giving rise to some of the biggest stars of the 21st century, with a strong roster that includes acts like Rihanna, J. Cole, Megan Thee Stallion, Lil Uzi Vert, and more. With successful record labels, Diddy and Shawn certified themselves as two of the richest hip-hop artists alive.
Sean Combs' business ventures expanded beyond the music and entertainment sphere. The music mogul established and partnered with companies that delved into fashion, liquor, cannabis, and real estate.
In 2022, Zack O'Malley Greenburg, author of "Empire State of Mind," estimated that Diddy's net worth had touched $1 billion. However, in a recent report from Forbes, published in September 2024, the magazine estimates the producer's net worth at "approximately $400 million."
On the other hand, Jay-Z is currently listed as the wealthiest musician in the world, first achieving his billionaire status in 2019. According to Forbes, the Roc Nation CEO has an estimated total net worth of $2.5 billion
Shawn Carter's business ventures include a fine arts collection, ownership in companies like Uber, champagne brand Armand de Brignac, cognac brand D'Usse, and other self-made sources.
During DJ Khalid's Walk of Fame ceremony, in 2022, both music moguls stood alongside the We the Best Music Group CEO as he accepted his Hollywood star.
That said, Jay-Z remained silent amid the developing allegations against Sean Combs and has only released a public statement against Tony Buzbee's amended lawsuit.
