Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter is intensifying his legal battle against attorney Tony Buzbee, alleging that Buzbee has orchestrated a campaign to damage his reputation through dubious means, including manipulating Wikipedia pages. This accusation is part of an amended defamation lawsuit filed on May 5, 2025, which also outlines significant financial losses Jay-Z claims to have suffered due to a now-dismissed lawsuit against him.
The legal skirmish began in December 2024 when Buzbee filed a lawsuit accusing Jay-Z and fellow music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. Jay-Z vehemently denied the allegations, labeling them a "blackmail attempt." The accuser, referred to as Jane Doe, dropped her case just two months later without a settlement payment, prompting Jay-Z to file his own lawsuit against her and Buzbee.
In his latest complaint, Jay-Z claims that Buzbee directed his law firm employees to edit Wikipedia pages to enhance Buzbee's image while simultaneously tarnishing Jay-Z's reputation and that of his entertainment company, Roc Nation. According to the amended complaint, "In violation of Wikipedia’s rules, Buzbee directed his employees to edit Wikipedia pages to enhance Buzbee’s image and damage Mr. Carter’s and Roc Nation’s reputations." Jay-Z's attorneys assert that users linked to Buzbee's firm made over 100 positive edits to Buzbee's Wikipedia page.
In addition to the Wikipedia allegations, Jay-Z's new filing includes a detailed account of the financial repercussions he claims resulted from the accusations. He asserts that he lost at least $190 million in income, credit, and loans due to the fallout from the lawsuit. This figure includes a $20 million loss in contracts within the sports and entertainment sector, a denied $55 million personal credit line, and a $115 million loan that fell through.
Documents obtained from court filings indicate that Jay-Z's financial losses are not merely hypothetical. He states that the allegations have directly impacted Roc Nation's business relationships, leading to the loss of contracts that would have generated substantial revenue. "Mr. Buzbee’s actions undermined my relationship, and my company Roc Nation’s relationship, with other businesses in the sports and entertainment space," Jay-Z's complaint reads.
Jay-Z's legal team is pushing back hard against Buzbee's claims, asserting that the lawsuit filed against him was a malicious act that has caused significant harm. In a declaration filed in early February, Jay-Z highlighted that the allegations led to a loss of $20 million in income alone. He argues that the reputational damage inflicted by the lawsuit has far-reaching consequences, affecting not just his personal finances but also the viability of Roc Nation's business operations.
Furthermore, the amended complaint has expanded to include Antigone Curis, a New York attorney who served as co-counsel in the original lawsuit against Jay-Z. Jay-Z alleges that Curis was brought into the case to assist Buzbee because he was not admitted to practice law in the Manhattan federal court, further complicating the legal proceedings.
In a striking turn of events, Jay-Z's complaint also references a TikTok video posted by Jane Doe, where she defiantly stated, "You couldn’t pay me a million dollars to get an apology video out of me, I stand on what I said, fuck you." Jay-Z's team argues that this statement demonstrates a reckless disregard for the truth and is indicative of Doe's intent to harm his reputation.
Despite these serious allegations, Buzbee has dismissed Jay-Z's claims as "nonsensical" and "meritless." In a statement, he expressed disbelief at the accusations regarding Wikipedia, saying, "I don’t have anything to do with Wikipedia and haven’t looked at it in years. That’s super weak." Buzbee maintains that the lawsuit filed against Jay-Z was a legitimate legal action and that Jay-Z's response is merely an attempt to retaliate against him for doing his job.
As the legal battle continues, Jay-Z's determination to clear his name is palpable. He has stated that he will not rest until he receives justice for what he describes as a "false, malicious lie." The ongoing litigation raises important questions about the intersection of celebrity, media representation, and the legal system, as both sides prepare for the next hearing scheduled for June 12, 2025.
In the wake of these allegations, Jay-Z's reputation remains under scrutiny, and the implications of this case extend beyond the courtroom. The music mogul's claims of financial loss and damage to his professional relationships underscore the potential consequences of legal battles in the public eye. As both sides gear up for the next phase of litigation, the outcome of this case could have lasting repercussions for all parties involved.
