Who is Carmen Bryan? Nas' former girlfriend who claimed she had an affair with Jay Z shares rapper's lyrics amid lawsuit

Musical artist Carmen Bryan, who became pregnant with Jay-Z’s child during a nine-year affair with the rapper, recently took a jab at the singer on Instagram. The status was uploaded in the wake of the accusations that Jay-Z s*xually assaulted a 13-year-old girl. Carmen took to the social media platform on December 10 and wrote:

“These days people don't defend what is right, they defend who they like! And that's why we call you "groupie".”

Carmen also called out the rapper by pointing out that in Kanye West's song Monster, Jay-Z allegedly called himself a r*pist. The lyrics further read:

“None of you ni*gas have seen the carnage that I've seen / I still hear fiends scream in my dreams / Murder, murder in black convertibles, I Kill a block / I murder the avenues, I R*pe and pillage your village, women and children.”

Carmen Bryan's story about Jay-Z (Image via Instagram / @carmenbryan)

Singer Carmen Bryan, well-known for writing the New York Times Bestselling autobiography It's No Secret: From Nas to Jay Z, From Seduction to Scandal, a Hip-Hop Helen of Troy Tells All, was once in a relationship with rapper Nas.

Carmen Bryan also worked at Capitol Records and Def Jam before gaining popularity. She further released a single titled Oh No No No in 2016. In 1994, she also gave birth to Nas’ daughter, Destiny Jones.

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Musician Carmen Bryan was in a relationship with rapper Nas

Prior to becoming a public figure, Carmen Bryan was a finance officer of Rush Management, a music production regulatory organization under Hip Hop's all-encompassing record label, Def Jam Recordings. Later, she served as Tracey Waples' executive assistant at Capitol Records, where she was the senior vice president of Artist & Repertoire.

As per Nation Africa’s January 6, 2023 report, she met Nas as a teenager. Her relationship with Nas, who had a music contract with Columbia Records, was again revived in her early adulthood.

Bryan once found himself trapped between Nas and Jay-Z, which was one of the most well-known feuds in music history. The Empire State Of Mind rapper released The Takeover in 2001, in which, without mentioning anyone, he rapped:

“Because you know who did you know what with you know who, but just keep that between me and you.”

The lyrics reportedly started a long-standing conflict with Nas. Additionally, as per Ambrosia For Heads’ November 2017 report, alluding to his Ja Rule chorus, Jay further hinted that he had been romantically involved with a significant woman in Nas' life. The audience speculated he was talking about Carmen Bryan.

On June 16, 1994, Destiny Najae Jones was born to Carmen and Nas. While employed at Rush Management, Carmen, their only provider then, rented a townhouse apartment in Fresh Meadows, Queens, New York.

On the other hand, as per hot97’s May 2, 2017 report, she was previously interviewed by DJ Vlad regarding her alleged involvement in the feud between Jay-Z and Nas.

During the same interview, Carmen Bryan further discussed her decision to cheat on Nas with Jay Z and her previous relationship with him. Talking about the same, she said:

“The problem was who I was cheating with… Now had I been cheating with like some nobody who just wants to play Nintendo all day and smoke cigarettes in front of the TV that may not have been a problem. Okay like Carmen we can get through that; we can get past that…”

She further added:

“But I was cheating with individuals that were in the same genre of music, the same circles, you know the same company. But I didn’t look at it as if I was doing anything wrong. I felt like this is my circle too. These are my peers too. Like I’m in the box too.”

Moreover, in her autobiography, she also discusses her natural desire to keep Destiny safe, who is seemingly entangled in a highly publicized conflict, romantic triangle, and lyrical attack.

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Meanwhile, Jay-Z hasn't responded publicly to Carmen's comments.