December 2, 1999 – New York, N.Y. (ScoopSignal Learnt Today) - In a moment straight out of an offbeat crime thriller, American rapper Jay-Z found himself swapping beats for a blade at a glitzy album release party in Manhattan. Authorities say the star, then 30, stabbed music executive Lance “Un” Rivera in the stomach with a 5-inch blade after rumors circulated that Rivera had leaked Jay-Z’s album online.
The altercation at the Kit Kat Klub left Rivera hospitalized and Jay-Z answering some awkward questions in court. “He’s not a violent man,” one eyewitness told reporters. “But maybe don’t mess with his music.”
Jay-Z later pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and accepted a three-year probation sentence, sparing himself potential jail time—and inspiring a generation of rappers to beef on wax, not with weapons.
In an unexpected twist, the incident didn’t slow Jay-Z’s rise to music stardom. He went on to win multiple Grammys and helm a business empire—proving you can survive a knife fight and the bootlegging business, as long as your next CD drops on time.
For those keeping score, this wasn’t the first time hip-hop saw drama off-stage: in 1993, Snoop Dogg faced murder charges before beating the rap and becoming best buddies with Martha Stewart.
Sources: Rolling Stone • Billboard • BBC News • Los Angeles Times • XXL Magazine • Deseret News • idobi • UPI • REVOLT • The Fader
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