KUALA LUMPUR: Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Sean "Diddy" Combs have been accused of raping a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 Video Music Awards, according to an amended civil lawsuit filed on Sunday.
The lawsuit alleges that another celebrity witnessed the assault but did not intervene, though this individual remains unnamed, ABC News reported.
In a statement posted to the Roc Nation X account, Jay-Z denied the allegations, calling them a baseless attempt to extort money.
He claimed attorney Tony Buzbee, who filed the lawsuit, had previously sent a "demand letter" to his legal team.
"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt... What he had calculated was that the nature of these allegations and public scrutiny would make me want to settle."
"No sir, it had the opposite effect," Jay-Z stated.
The plaintiff, who remains anonymous, alleged she was approached by a limousine driver who invited her to the after-party where the assault occurred. In the original filing, Jay-Z was identified as "Celebrity A."
Buzbee defended the lawsuit in a statement to ABC News, emphasising its seriousness.
He also posted on Instagram, writing, "I will not be bullied or intimidated. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, and the truth will be revealed."
Combs' legal representatives dismissed the allegations as a "publicity stunt" and accused Buzbee of filing meritless lawsuits for financial gain.
They stated, "Mr Combs has full confidence in the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: Mr Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone."
Jay-Z also questioned why the case was filed as a civil lawsuit instead of a criminal one.
"Anyone who would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away," he said.
Addressing the impact on his family, Jay-Z expressed heartbreak that his children would be exposed to the allegations.
"My wife and I will have to explain the cruelty and greed of people to them," he said.
The case is expected to proceed through the courts as both sides maintain their positions.