Beyonce’s mum Tina Knowles issues statement after reaction to Jay-Z rape claims left people confused
Following the news of a lawsuit alleging that Shawn 'Jay-Z' Carter and Sean 'Diddy' Combs raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000 being filed, people were shocked by the reaction of Beyoncé Knowles' mother.
55-year-old rapper Jay-Z has been married to global superstar Beyoncé since 2008.
The two share three children, Blue Ivy, 12, and twins Rumi and Sir, seven.
Jay-Z and Beyoncé put on a united front yesterday, when attending the premiere for Mufasa: The Lion King yesterday (9 December) alongside Blue Ivy.
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The lawsuit originally only named Combs, but was refiled over the weekend in New York to add Jay-Z as the second person to take part in the alleged rape of a minor.
It states that the crime took place at a house party after the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).
In the statement, Jay-Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, dismissed the legal action, which was filed by Texas-based lawyer Tony Buzbee, as a 'blackmail attempt'.
After the news of the lawsuit broke, Beyoncé's mother, Tina Knowles, 'liked' a post regarding the matter on Instagram.
The post, shared by news organisation ABC7Chicago, bore the headline: "Jay-Z, Diddy named in lawsuit alleging rape of girl, 13."
People were quick to notice the 'like' from Knowles, leading some to speculate that she thought her son-in-law may be guilty.
However, she has since spoken out to claim she was hacked.
In an Instagram post, she wrote: "I was hacked. As you all know I do not play about my family. So if you see something uncharacteristic of me, just know that it is not me!"
In the caption, she wrote: "Please stop playing with me! No weapon formed against my family shall prosper."
Jay-Z has made a statement of his own, denying any guilt.
Posted to the X account of his record label, Roc Nation, it read: "My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a 'lawyer' named Tony Buzbee. What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.
"No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!
"These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?
"These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case."
It continued: "This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!
"I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. Buzbee, but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I'm more than prepared to deal with your type.
"You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity."
It continued: "My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people.
"I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit."
The statement carried on: "My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.
"You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all 'celebrities' are the same. I'm not from your world.
"I'm a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don't play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain.
"Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable."
Jay-Z ended the statement with: "I look forward to showing you just how different I am."
Tyla has previously reached out to Jay-Z's lawyer, Alex Spiro, for further comment.
If you have been affected by any of the issues in this article and wish to speak to someone in confidence, contact the Rape Crisis England and Wales helpline on 0808 500 222, available 24/7. If you are currently in danger or need urgent medical attention, you should call 999.
Kya Buller