Jay-Z On Why He Refused To Settle Sexual Assault Lawsuit: ‘It Ain’t In My DNA’

Jay-Z discussed the emotional toll of a sexual assault lawsuit in a new GQ interview, calling the experience “really hard” and “heartbroken.” The rapper faced civil allegations in December 2024 from an anonymous woman claiming he raped her at age 13 during a 2000 MTV VMAs afterparty alongside Sean “Diddy” Combs. The plaintiff voluntarily dismissed the lawsuit in early 2025. Jay-Z explained why he refused to settle: “It ain’t in my DNA. I know the weight that this is going to bring on our family. I can’t do it.” The 56-year-old said settling would have been “cheaper, quicker” but maintained his innocence throughout. He praised his family’s support, particularly daughter Blue Ivy Carter, who wore a “Jay-Z” jersey to school during the controversy. “I was just in the corner, like tears coming down,” he said. Story URL