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Jay-Z’s rape accuser says in court filings that she stands by her story, directly contradicting his recent lawsuit that claims she admitted to fabricating the allegations — prompting the star’s lawyers to offer testimony from private investigators and demand that the accuser sit for a deposition.
In Los Angeles court filings Monday (March 3), the unnamed Jane Doe stated that she had flatly refused to recant her story when approached last month by investigators for Jay-Z — an experience she said left her “intimidated and terrified.” She also denied that her attorney, Tony Buzbee, had pushed her to sue.
Those statements, which Doe made in a sworn affidavit, directly contradicted allegations leveled by Jay-Z (Shawn Carter) in a separate lawsuit filed earlier on Monday. In that case, he claimed Doe had “voluntarily admitted” directly to his team that her now-dropped lawsuit was premised on a false accusation.
“Although I ultimately chose not to pursue them, I stand by my claims in the New York action and believe that I had a meritorious claim against Jay-Z,” the woman wrote in Monday’s filing. “I ultimately decided to dismiss the [case] because I was frightened by the reaction of Jay-Z and his supporters, and the likelihood that I would have to be publicly named and subjected to public attacks.”
In the same sworn statement, the unnamed woman stressed that Buzbee had not sought her out, nor had he urged her to add Jay-Z to her allegations: “I told them that neither of those things ever happened, and I asked them to leave me alone.”
Monday’s statement from Doe quickly prompted a response from Jay-Z’s lawyers. In a flurry of new filings on Wednesday (March 5), they offered up sworn statements from the actual private investigators who allegedly talked to her, asking the judge for permission to add them to the case record.
In those statements, one of the investigators said, “Jane Doe stated to me that Mr. Carter did not sexually assault her.” At another point, the same investigator added: “Jane Doe stated ‘Buzbee brought Jay Z into it,’ and ‘he was the one that kind of pushed me towards going forward with him.’” Another investigator said Doe had told him that “lawyers at Mr. Buzbee’s law firm told her that, if she pursued Mr. Carter, she would get a payout.”
In the same filings, Jay-Z’s lawyers also made an alternative request: that the judge permit them to depose both the accuser and Buzbee under oath. “The new declaration only further reinforces the need for Jane Doe and Mr. Buzbee to sit for a deposition regarding their conversations, including her conversations with his colleagues who convinced Jane Doe to drop her lawsuit,” they wrote.
Depositions are not typically granted at the outset of such a case; instead, they are conducted during the later “discovery” phase as a case moves toward trial. But Jay-Z’s lawyers say Doe’s filing has opened the door to those issues and that the rapper is now “entitled to find out” what the woman knows.
In a detailed statement to Billboard on Wednesday, Buzbee strongly denied the various claims advanced by Jay-Z’s investigators in the new court filings. He said he believes they “flat out made all of this up” and that he “can’t wait to see what they have been paid and who is paying them.”
“Jane Doe’s case was signed up in October by another law firm to pursue allegations against Jay-Z and P. Diddy. Apparently it came in through Facebook to that firm’s page. After it was vetted it was sent to my firm weeks later,” Buzbee said. “The allegation that I sat with Jane Doe and suggested a suit against Jay-Z is not only a lie, it’s proveably and demonstrably false and is contrary to the documentation from referring counsel’s intake process and our own firm documents.”
The blockbuster case against Jay-Z, filed in December, claimed that he and Sean “Diddy” Combs drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards. It represented a shocking expansion of the already-sprawling claims against Combs and came amid speculation that other stars might be implicated in Diddy’s alleged decades of abusive behavior.
Jay-Z forcefully denied the allegations, calling them a “blackmail attempt.” He accused Buzbee of trying to extort settlements from innocent celebrities by falsely tying them to Diddy and vowed to fight back and never pay his accuser.
Last month, Doe abruptly dropped the case — without explanation and without any kind of payment from Jay-Z. Two weeks later, Jay-Z sued both Doe and Buzbee for defamation, malicious prosecution and other wrongdoing, claiming they had carried out an “evil conspiracy” to extort a settlement from him by making the “false and malicious” rape allegations.
“Mr. Carter does not commence this action lightly,” his lawyers wrote in Monday’s lawsuit. “But the extortion and abuse of Mr. Carter by Doe and her lawyers must stop.”
The recent filing from Doe rebutting those allegations, also filed Monday, was lodged in a separate lawsuit in California in which Jay-Z is suing Buzbee for extortion and defamation over the same rape allegations. At a hearing in that case last week, a Los Angeles judge said he would likely dismiss the star’s extortion claims but likely allow the defamation claims against the lawyer to proceed.
Travis Scott is one of music’s most exciting live performers, but even he can’t deny the allure of stepping inside the squared circle. The Houston rapper made headlines over the weekend when he reportedly ruptured Cody Rhodes’ eardrum and gave him a black eye during John Cena‘s Elimination Chamber heel turn. And he couldn’t contain […]
Adidas split from doing business with Ye (formerly Kanye West) in October 2022 following his antisemitic remarks, and nearly 2.5 years later, the apparel giant says it has finally sold the last of its Yeezy supply.
Adidas hosted an earnings report on Wednesday (March 5) when chief financial officer Harm Ohlmeyer revealed that the Yeezy stock has run dry. “There is not one Yeezy shoe left,” he said, per Rolling Stone. “It has all been sold and that episode is behind us.”
Billboard has reached out to reps for Adidas and Ye for further comment.
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Ye and Adidas joined forces for a lucrative partnership in 2013, as the Yeezy footwear line was reportedly worth $1.5 billion at the time of the termination.
Adidas and other companies such as Balenciaga, Gap and Def Jam cut ties with West in late 2022 following the debut of his “White Lives Matter” T-shirt and his social media rant that included a promise to go “death con 3 on Jewish people.”
“Adidas does not tolerate antisemitism and any other sort of hate speech,” an Adidas spokesperson said at the time. “Ye’s recent comments and actions have been unacceptable, hateful and dangerous, and they violate the company’s values of diversity and inclusion, mutual respect and fairness.”
The split left Adidas with $1.3 billion worth of unsold Yeezys, which contributed to a loss of $655 million in sales for 2022’s fourth quarter. The company went on to donate a portion of Yeezy sales to the Anti-Defamation League and the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.
All subsequent litigation between Ye and Adidas came to a close in October when both parties reached a settlement. The terms were not disclosed.
“Both parties said we don’t need to fight anymore and withdrew all the claims,” Adidas CEO Bjorn Gulden said that neither side would pay the other as part of the settlement. “No one owes anybody anything anymore. So whatever was is history.”
In other Ye news, he once again caused a stir on X on Wednesday when he professed his appreciation for Drake and hopes that the 6 God will speak at his funeral when the time comes. “I SAW A VIDEO OF DRAKE WALKING THROUGH HIS HOUSE AND SHOWING HE HAD A LIBRARY OF RYHME BOOKS MAN I WISH I COULD HAVE SEEN AND REMEMBERED THIS WHEN MY JEALOUSY OVERTOOK ME,” he wrote. “I LOVE DRAKE IMA SAY THIS WHEN I DIE I NEED YOU TO SPEAK AT ME FUNERAL.”
While he’s repeatedly dissed Drake in the past and throughout the Kendrick Lamar feud, Kanye has turned a new leaf when it comes to Drizzy and showed him love. Even earlier this year, West said that you can’t ever count out a Drake comeback in the rap game.
“You can’t ever count out Steph Curry. That man might get 200 points in one song,” he said. Kanye credited Drake with adding “something to the algorithm to our frequency. He advanced us. Future advanced us and now Kendrick advanced the frequency.”
In today’s episode of ‘Billboard Unfiltered,’ Billboard staffers Damien Scott, Carl Lamarre and Trevor Anderson are joined by DJ Drewski to debate who the best lyricist is among Nas, Jay-Z and Biggie, discuss who among Drake, Kendrick Lamar and J. Cole would have been the most successful in the ’90s, and consider if Wiz Khalifa’s freestyling signifies his return, and more!
What do you want to hear more of? Drop your suggestion in the chat!
Carl Lamarre:
Yo, yo, yo what’s going on y’all. Welcome to a fresh episode of Billboard Unfiltered. And we have a special guest today. Holding it down, my brother from another, HOT 97 resident — I would like to say he is one of the biggest architects in New York City in terms of breaking talent.
Damien Scott:
Let’s go!
I’m talking Cardi B. I’m talking about late Pop Smoke, A Boogie, Fivio Foreign. I could keep on going, the good brother DJ Drewski in the house.
DJ Drewski:
Thank you. Thank you for having me.
Carl Lamarre:
How are you feeling my brother?
DJ Drewski:
I’m feeling a little unfiltered, let’s talk about it
Trevor Anderson:
Okay!
He’s got a little feisty today, he’s feeling a little spicy today! Like I told you before the show, your political connects, they might be a little upset, but they’re going to be alright.
DJ Drewski:
Artists don’t get mad, please join Summer Jam if we need you. You know what I’m saying don’t-
Trevor Anderson:
Don’t take it personal.
DJ Drewski:
It’s just for the live.
Damien Scott:
Blame Carl.
DJ Drewski:
Right!
Carl Lamarre:
Don’t do that to me. I already got the Kendrick heads coming at me. But no, this is going to be a fun show today. Of course we’re going to bring some fire topics with the first one, we got to give flowers to Mr. Wiz Khalifa.
Keep watching for more!
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Pharrell Williams‘ ability to merge music, fashion, and cultural storytelling has made him one of the most influential creatives of our time. Whether it’s through his groundbreaking production in hip-hop and R&B or his game-changing collaborations in fashion, Pharrell has consistently pushed boundaries. His latest project with adidas continues this legacy, as he reimagines the classic Superstar silhouette with the bold and innovative Superstar 92 collection.
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Pharrell’s fashion collaborations have always mirrored his musical innovation, bridging the gap between artistic expression and everyday wear. His long-standing partnership with Adidas has already delivered some of the most unique designs in sneaker culture, and with the Superstar 92, also known as the Double Wide, he brings a fresh, oversized twist to one of Adidas’ most celebrated silhouettes.
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This new silhouette is all about proportions and nostalgia. Inspired by the exaggerated aesthetics of the ‘90s and the functional build of snowboard boots, the Superstar 92 blends heritage with modern design. The sneaker features thick padding around the ankle for comfort, a chunky sole for a bold stance, and premium materials that elevate its look and feel. With “Virginia” emblazoned on the tongue, Pharrell once again nods to his hometown roots — a theme that remains a central part of his storytelling.
Clipse modeling the Adidas Superstar 92
Adidas
Staying true to his origins, Pharrell tapped fellow Virginia hip-hop icons Clipse to lead the Superstar 92 campaign. The duo, made up of Pusha T and No Malice, played a pivotal role in shaping early 2000s rap, and their inclusion in this campaign highlights the deep cultural connections between music, sneakers, and personal identity. Shot in Virginia, the campaign reinforces the idea that the Superstar 92 is more than just a sneaker — it’s a symbol of legacy, authenticity, and evolution.
As someone who already owns six pairs of Superstars, this latest iteration feels like an instant classic, so it’s a flex for me! The chunky build, premium materials, and Virginia tribute make it more than just another sneaker drop — it’s a true reflection of Pharrell’s vision and legacy. With the Superstar 92, he’s continuing a conversation between music, fashion, and culture, one step at a time. So, where do you stand? Is this collection a Flex, a Trade, or a Fade?
Billboard Unfiltered returned on Wednesday (March 5) with another live episode, but the guys added a special guest into the mix — Hot 97’s DJ Drewski makes his debut on the newest iteration of the show.
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Wiz Khalifa’s recent run of fiery freestyles and features has the crew feeling nostalgic as they discussed Wiz possibly forcing his way back into the mainstream, which led to a debate surrounding The Blog Era.
“There is a commercial appetite for Wiz,” senior charts & data analyst Trevor Anderson said. “I would love to see Wiz get another hit … Just to cap off this era, how crazy would it be if there was a comeback single that made its way… If he was able to sneak back into a top 40, top 20 kind of hit, that, to me, would only solidify when you look at that 15-year run.”
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For deputy director, editorial Damien Scott, he appreciates that Wiz has found what fans love about him, and is continuing to fill the void.
“It’s good to see an artist realize what people love about them and understand there is something they could still give to the game,” Scott added. “Wiz sounds like he wants to rap again. He got so successful … I don’t think he has anything to prove, but he sounds reinvigorated and wants to prove to people that he can still do this.”
The fellas highlighted a Blog Era artist they’d like to see make a comeback: Damien Scott went with Charles Hamilton while Trevor Anderson highlighted B.o.B. Carl Lamarre went down to Atlanta for Ace Hood and Drewski chose Asher Roth.
Scott got another discussion going when recalling a viral tweet comparing Jay-Z, Nas and The Notorious B.I.G. as the best lyricists. “I would go with Biggie as a lyricist,” Scott said. “I think Big had everything. I think he had every aspect of rap. Big was so nasty, I don’t think rap has dramatically moved on from what he’s done.”
Lamarre chimed in with a spicy take when claiming that “from a dexterity level,” J. Cole could go “toe-to-toe” with Biggie and hold his own on a track. “I think he could go toe-to-toe with a Jay,” he said. “Especially this new version of Cole we’re getting.”
Another heated discussion came off of the theory of Drake being planted in the ’90s and seeing how much success he’d have with his singing-rapping hallmark in the Golden Era. Drewski believes Drake would’ve thrived on a Bad Boy Records under Diddy’s tutelage, while Damien Scott isn’t so confident.
Scott thinks Drake owes a series of thank-yous to Kanye West for paving the way and breaking down sonic barriers in the years prior to his ascension. “The change that took place because of Kanye, Drake benefitted from greatly,” he said. “Back then, that s–t wasn’t flying.”
Watch the full episode below:
“Don’t leave when you’re hot, that’s how Mase screwed up.”
We all remember that famous line from Ye’s (formerly Kanye West)= “Devil in a New Dress” — a line he has since apologized for — and on Wednesday (March 5), the Harlem rapper talked about his meteoric rise after he signed to Bad Boy.
During an episode of his sports talk show It Is What It Is, co-host Trysta Krick asked Mase what was the first moment in his rap career that gave him confidence during a conversation about athletes becoming more confident after winning a championship. “For me it was instant,” he answered. “I worked so hard behind the scenes that when I did hit the scene, it was instant. To people, it looked like it happened overnight.”
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He then recalled a moment when he went to check out a Junior M.A.F.I.A. show at Nassau Coliseum with a friend and couldn’t get in. “That moment lit a fire in my belly,” he said. “A year later, I just started working on my flow, working on my bars, working on my delivery, and I worked on it for like six months. I studied people like Method Man. I studied people like LL. I got my waves from Nas. I got my bounce from Method Man. I got my songwriting from LL.”
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However, it wasn’t until The Notorious B.I.G. decided to let him hit the stage during a show at the Apollo that he really took off. “And then one day, he was performing at the Apollo and he brought me out and that was the part that changed everything,” he remembered. “What else can you be solidified by other than the greatest rapper ever to bring you out on stage and say that you’re the next one? And once he said I was the next one, I never looked back. I got better every day. I got better on every song. Every freestyle was great. It was like I couldn’t miss for like two years straight. Anything I got on was just gone. It was nonstop.”
He added: “My hand was hotter than probably Drake‘s. I’m not gonna lie to you. I mean from the beginning. Now Drake has had a way better career, did major things, but I’m saying, my initial start was hotter than Drake’s.”
Mase started his rap career as a member of Harlem rap group Children of the Corn alongside the late Big L, Cam’ron, Herb McGruff, the late Bloodshed and producer Six Figga Digga. He made his Bad Boy debut on 112‘s “Only You (Remix)” and his debut Harlem World sold 273,000 copies in its first week and is certified four times platinum.
Watch the full episode of It Is What It Is below.
Doja Cat will always be a Taco Bell legend for bringing back the Mexican Pizza, and she’s still making her impact felt within the company’s boardrooms.
The Grammy-winning artist invaded Taco Bell’s 2025 Live Más Live keynote event on Tuesday (March 4) with a message for the fans as well as some playful shots at the company’s Chief Marketing Officer, Taylor Montgomery, who was on stage at the time of her jumbotron takeover.
“What’s up Taco Bell? What’s up Live Más Live? Love you all, except you, Taylor. Yeah, we’re in a fight right now. You know, I’m a fan. I’m confused, really,” she said in a video, addressing the brand’s CMO, Taylor Montgomery. “Help me understand. How are you gonna tell me I can’t be in my own commercial? Seriously, what the f–k? If anyone is standing near Taylor, just slap –” she says as her video cuts off.
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Doja has continued to be part of the brand’s story. She appeared alongside LeBron James in Taco Bell’s Super Bowl commercial in February, which was directed by Dave Meyers. T-Bell didn’t want to spotlight its celebrity ambassadors in the spot, and instead gave airtime to the “real fans” keeping Taco Bell on top, with drive-thru cams seeing happy customers pulling up to their local fast-food chain.
“I’ve already made history with Taco Bell — you’re welcome for the Mexican Pizza comeback — so when I heard Taco Bell was featuring its biggest fans, I assumed that I would be part of the action,” Doja said in a press statement prior to the Big Game. “Don’t get me wrong, I should be the star, but my fellow Taco Bell fans really showed out… I guess I’ll just have to wait and see what happens during the Big Game.”
Prior to Super Bowl LIX, Doja posted a TikTok with LeBron in which they voiced their Taco Bell loyalty. “I brought back the Mexican Pizza, now they wanna focus on real fans? I am a real fan,” she said while showcasing her Mountain Dew Baja Blast.
Doja Cat etched herself into Taco Bell lore when she successfully campaigned for T-Bell to bring back its famed Mexican Pizza in 2022.
Watch the “Paint the Town Red” singer interrupt the brand’s live event below, starting around the 54-minute mark:
The 25th annual BET Awards is set to air on Monday, June 9. It will mark the first time that Culture’s Biggest Night, as the show likes to call itself, will not air on a Sunday night since 2008. The show shifted to Sundays in June 2009 after airing on Tuesdays for its first eight years on the air, 2001-2008.
The move to Monday avoids a conflict with the Tony Awards, which are scheduled for Sunday, June 8, on CBS. The. network in recent years has simulcast the BET Awards, though this year’s simulcast partners have not yet been named. CBS has aired the Tonys every year since 1978. The date and host (Cynthia Erivo) of this year’s Tonys were announced two weeks ago.
The BET Awards will air live on BET from Los Angeles. The venue and host have not yet been announced. The show has been held at the Peacock Theater at L.A. Live every year since 2013 (except for a virtual show in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic). Taraji P. Henson hosted the show last year, and also in 2021 and 2022.
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Last year, Drake led the nominations for the BET Awards with seven nods, but was shut out on the night. Usher received a lifetime achievement award, but the best news for him was probably coupling that honorary award with a win in a competitive category – best male R&B/pop artist. Tyla and Victoria Monét also won two awards on the night.
Connie Orlando, EVP of specials, music programming & music strategy for BET, serves as executive producer for the 2025 BET Awards, along with Jamal Noisette, SVP of tentpoles & music community engagement. Jesse Collins Entertainment is the production company for the show, with Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay also serving as executive producers.
The BET Experience 2025 (BETX) is set to run from Thursday, June 5, through Sunday, June 8. The event promises “exclusive performances, celebrity panels, fan experiences, and more” from “the biggest names in entertainment, sports and culture.”
Offset has announced a performance in Russia set for April despite his parent label, Universal Music Group, having suspended all operations and closed offices there, shortly after Russia invaded Ukraine. The Migos rapper confirmed plans for a performance at Moscow’s MTC Live Hall on April 18 with a post to his Instagram Story on Tuesday […]