A resurfaced clip from has reignited discussions about Jay-Z's intense efforts to secure a recording contract with a then-17-year-old Rihanna.
At the time, Rihanna was an aspiring artist auditioning for Def Jam, where Jay-Z had recently become president and CEO.
The clip resurfaced amid accusations against Jay-Z that he and Sean 'Diddy' Combs assaulted a 13-year-old girl in 2000, allegations both have denied.
In a 2005 interview with MTV's Sway Calloway, Jay-Z detailed his determination to sign Rihanna.
'We signed [the deal] at night. We didn't let her leave the office until 3 in the morning,' he said, explaining that the meeting had begun around 3 or 4pm.
When asked how unusual this was, Jay-Z responded, 'That's not often. To get lawyers to draft contracts and both sides to agree within 10 hours is...that's red.'
Social media users have since connected the clip with another older interview in which Rihanna recounted to Tyra Banks an unsettling comment Jay-Z made during negotiations.
He joked about throwing her 'out the window' from the 29th floor if she didn't sign the contract.
A resurfaced clip from 2005 has reignited discussions about Jay-Z's intense efforts to secure a recording contract with a then-17-year-old Rihanna.
'We signed [the deal] at night. We didn't let her leave the office until 3 in the morning,' Jay-Z said, explaining that the meeting had begun around 3 or 4 in the afternoon.
The clip, which has gone viral on Reddit, has prompted many to scrutinize the encounter.
Rihanna, reflecting on her audition in the interview, shared: 'It was actually a really good audition but before I met him I was so nervous; I was shaking, literally.'
'I sang Pon De Replay and another ballad from the album.'
She recalled Jay-Z telling her, 'We don't sign songs here; we sign artists. And we're interested.'
Tyra pressed further, mentioning the comment about the window.
Rihanna laughed and explained, 'Oh! Then he said there are two ways to leave here: through the door with the deal signed or through this window. And we’re on the 29th floor.'
Tyra quipped, 'So you were like, where’s the pen? Where’s the paper? I’m signing!'
Record executive L.A. Reid, who hired Jay-Z at Def Jam, also recounted the audition in his memoir, Sing to Me.
He wrote: 'I told Jay-Z, "Don't let her leave the building." I saw her determination and commitment. She sang "Pon De Replay," and my head was spinning. She signed the contract that day.'
Comments under the Reddit post have expressed discomfort with the story.
'It seems like coercion,' one user noted, pointing out the significant power imbalance as Rihanna was just 17 at the time.
Another commenter added, 'Tyra's giddiness is just... unsettling.'
Others echoed their discomfort, with one writing, 'How did I miss this back then? This is so uncomfortable.'
A civil lawsuit alleges that Jay-Z and Combs sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl at an after-party following the 2000 MTV Video Music Awards.
Jay-Z, born Shawn Carter, issued a statement via X vehemently denying and condemning the allegations.
He was added to the lawsuit, initially filed anonymously by Texas attorney Tony Buzbee.
While many anonymous lawsuits were dismissed, the judge allowed this case to proceed due to the seriousness of the alleged victim's claims.
In his statement, Jay-Z launched a scathing attack on Buzbee, accusing him of being a 'deplorable human' and an 'ambulance chaser' motivated by personal gain and seeking to extort him.
He dismissed the allegations as 'idiotic claims' and urged Buzbee to file a criminal complaint instead. Jay-Z also questioned Buzbee's credibility and his claims of military service.
The rapper acknowledged the emotional toll this lawsuit will have on his family, particularly his daughter Blue Ivy. He shares three children with his wife, Beyoncé.
Separately, Combs is facing federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Prosecutors allege he sexually abused women and coerced them into sex acts through intimidation and violence.
Combs has pleaded not guilty, and his trial is scheduled for May 5, 2025.
This lawsuit against Jay-Z and Combs follows a wave of legal action against Combs by numerous alleged victims, including those represented by Buzbee.