A video has resurfaced showing a 16-year-old Rihanna talking about her audition with Jay-Z.
Amid Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - being accused of raping a teenage girl in a lawsuit filed on December 8, a clip of Rihanna talking about the music producer has resurfaced online.
The accusations against Jay-Z
The lawsuit accuses Carter of raping a 13-year-old girl with Sean 'Diddy' Combs after an awards show over two decades ago.
Combs is currently facing charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution - charges he's continued to deny.
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Carter has since denied the allegations that came to light last Sunday, accusing the lawyer who filed the lawsuit of making a 'terrible error in judgement' thinking that all 'celebrities are the same'.
In the wake of the lawsuit, a video has resurfaced of Rihanna during an appearance on The Tyra Banks Show in 2005 being asked about her audition with Carter.
Rihanna's comments about her audition with Jay-Z
Rihanna auditioned for Carter's Def Jam Recordings at the age of 16 and explained she was 'so nervous' before meeting the producer.
She continued: "I was shaking. But the moment i walked into the office the atmosphere was so warm and welcoming."
The musician sang an acapella version of 'Pon de Replay' for Carter and he allegedly responded, saying they 'don't sign songs here' they 'sign artists' but added they were 'interested' in Rihanna.
However, it's what Carter reportedly said next which has left social media users feeling uneasy.
Rihanna recalled: "He said, 'There are two ways to leave here. You go through the door with the deal signed or through this window, and we're on the 29th floor'.
And it's not taken long for people to flock online to weigh-in.
Reactions
One Reddit user said: "Yeah, I get it it’s a joke, haha…but really? The audience was confused as well given the half-hearted laugh they gave."
"You know they were doing some evil things back in the time," another added.
A third commented: "I remember this, I found it weird back then."
However, others argued it was a strange but ultimately harmless comment.
A user wrote: "This is literally trying to make a story out of nothing.
They were in a boardroom working out that contract that whole night because she was seeking representation and he wanted to sign her. Lawyers were present for both sides - it wasn’t no 'hang you by your legs out the balcony'-type gangster situation, Jesus Christ. Don’t take my word for it, there are interviews of her talking about it."
"Yeah that's what I got out of it - he just really wanted to sign her. I mean it's a weird thing to say yes but in a cocky asshole way, not a mafia way," a second wrote.
Topics: Rihanna, Celebrity, Music, Jay-Z, Social Media, Reddit
Poppy Bilderbeck