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Shawn Corey Carter - also known as Jay-Z, Hova, or Jazzy - is considered the greatest rapper of all time, according to Billboard's 2023 list of 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time. The rapper is a living legend credited with popularizing hip-hop and creating songs that have stood the test of time.
The business mogul and celebrated artist has had his fair share of scandals and controversy over the years. He has addressed some of these issues and others have been labeled as mere speculations.
From cheating allegations to a drawn-out rap feud with Nas and the recent P. Diddy allegations, this article delves deep into the legend's controversial moments.
From alleged affiliations with P. Diddy to cheating scandal, controversial Jay-Z incidents explored
1) Rumored affiliations with Sean Combs P. Diddy 2024
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Federal charges were brought against music mogul Sean Combs, also known as P. Diddy, for racketeering, s*x trafficking, and transportation to engage in pr*stitution in September 2024. In light of the situation, fans and media have begun to speculate on Jay-Z's friendship with Combs and his silence on the debacle.
It is pertinent to note that these allegations against the rapper have not been backed up by evidence. In an interview with Chris Cuomo of News Nation in September 2024, Suge Knight, former Death Row Records CEO, claimed that the rapper and some notable hip-hop figures were privy to Combs' alleged crimes.
Legendary rapper 50 Cent also accused the Empire State of Mind hitmaker of going into hiding following the investigation on P. Diddy in an Instagram post in May 2024:
"Jay in hibernation he ain't coming outside till this sh*t with Puff blow over."
2) Beyoncé's Lemonade album 2016
Rumors of Jay-Z's infidelity began swirling in 2014 after the infamous elevator incident. Although the rapper nor Beyoncé addressed the cheating allegations, the latter released the controversial Lemonade album in 2016. Many interpreted this album as a confirmation of the rapper's infidelity.
In the music video for Sorry, Beyoncé famously quipped, "Death to side chicks," with references to "Becky with the good hair."
The Young Forever hitmaker responded to the Lemonade album with the 4:44 track in 2017, where he seemed to take full responsibility for his actions:
"What good is a ménage à trois when you have a soulmate? / You risked that for Blue?"
3) The elevator incident with Solange in 2014
The elevator incident involving Solange Knowles and the Carters remains one of the most talked about incidents in pop culture history. After the Met Gala on May 5, 2014, the trio stepped into the elevator of the Standard Highline Hotel in New York.
Moments later, video footage obtained by TMZ from the hotel's security circulated on May 12, 2024, where it can be seen that Solange began hitting Jazzy.
The viral video from the Met Gala incident resulted in varying speculations as to the cause of the altercation. Many chalked it up to infidelity. The parties released an official statement on May 15, 2014, a part of which read:
"There has been a great deal of speculation about what triggered the unfortunate incident. But the most important thing is that our family has worked through it."
4) Jay-Z and Nas rap feud from 1996 to early 2000s
The Jay-Z and Nas rap feud is considered one of the most significant rap feuds in history. The two reportedly had no issues until 1996 when Nas passed on the request to feature in Jay-Z's Bring It On from his Reasonable Doubt album. Jazzy sampled Nas's classic, The World Is Yours. The former went on to shade Nas in 2001 with the song Takeover using lyrics:
"So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin' it wrong/ You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song."
Nas responded with Ether, which is considered one of the best diss tracks of all time, where he mocked Jazzy's looks and tagged him as a sellout. Jazzy's subsequent diss track to Nas was Supa Ugly, which he later apologized for. The two seem to have squashed their beef.
5) The stabbing of Rivera in 1999
Jay-Z was allegedly involved in a criminal case in 1999 after a stabbing incident took place. The rapper attended Q-Tip's listening party for the Amplified album and ran into Lance Un Rivera, the then CEO of Untertainment record label. The CEO was rumored to have been selling bootleg versions of Jay-Z's upcoming Vol 3 Life and Times of S. Carter album.
Things escalated when a friend of Un Rivera was caught at the party with said bootleg versions of the upcoming album and a fight ensued.
Jazzy allegedly stabbed Rivera with a knife—an act he pleaded guilty to after being charged with second-degree assault. After entering a guilty plea, he was given three years of probation. He rapped about it in Kill Jay Z:
"You stabbed Un over some records / Your excuse was "He was talkin' too reckless!"
Despite several controversies and allegations, Jay-Z has built a successful career filled with many firsts, an impressive discography, and several awards.
