JAY-Z will be inducted into the Grammys Hall of Fame this year with his classic debut album, Reasonable Doubt.
On Thursday (February 13), the Recording Academy announced this year’s recipients, which includes eight albums and five singles. Hov, who is the only Hip Hop artist nominated, will join the likes of Luther Vandross’ 1981 album Never Too Much, Santana’s 1999 album Supernatural, Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine’s 1985 hit “Conga” and more when the Grammys Hall of Fame Gala takes place in Los Angeles on May 16.
In a statement, Recording Academy CEO Harvey Mason Jr. said, “It’s a privilege to recognize these eclectic recordings as the 2025 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame inductees. Music has the unique power to shape culture and mark moments in time. Each inducted recording reflects that spirit, and we’re excited to celebrate these impactful works, ensuring their legacies continue to inspire generations to come.”
Hov is also the most decorated rapper in Grammys history with 25 wins – just one more than Kanye West and three more than Kendrick Lamar. (And he’s married to the person with the most Grammy Awards of all time – Beyoncé with 35.)
JAY-Z doesn’t currently have ownership of the copyright of the 1996 classic, but in a legal document uncovered by TMZ back in August, it was revealed that Hov’s attorneys notified the courts that once Roc-A-Fella Records’ ownership ends in 2031, those rights will revert to “one Shawn Carter/”JAY-Z.”
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The copyrights in question cover not only the rapper’s classic debut album and it’s title, but also each individual song on the platinum-selling 14-track project.
In other major news, a lawsuit accusing JAY-Z and Diddy of raping a minor 25 years ago has been withdrawn by the plaintiff after much scrutiny over her claims.
On Friday (February 14), the anonymous woman’s lawyer, Tony Buzbee, filed a notice in federal New York court announcing their decision to voluntarily dismiss the suit.
The lawsuit was dismissed without prejudice, meaning it can be refiled at a later date.
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The filing notes that the woman’s legal team had discussed the matter with representatives for both JAY-Z and Diddy, who “acknowledge[d] and consent[ed] to this submission.”
JAY-Z, who had vehemently denied the disturbing allegations, celebrated the move as a “victory” while maintaining his innocence.
“Today is a victory. The frivolous, fictitous and appalling allegations have been dismissed. This civil suit was never going anywhere,” he said in a statement shared on social media by his Roc Nation company.
“The fictional tale they created was laughable, if not for the seriousness of the claims. I would not wish this experience on anyone. The trauma that my wife, my children, loves ones and I have endured can never be dismissed.”
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The Brooklyn-bred billionaire also hit out at Buzbee, with whom he became embroiled in a separate legal battle after the rape lawsuit was filed.
“This 1-800 lawyer gets to file a suit hiding behind Jane Doe, and when they quickly realize that the money grab is going to fail, they get to walk away with no repercussions. The system has failed,” he continued.
“The court must protect victims, OF COURSE, while with the same ethical responsibility, the courts must protect the innocent from being accused without a shred of evidence. May the truth prevail for all victims and those falsely accused equally.”
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