N.O.R.E. Faces Lawsuit Over Alleged 1999 Sexual Assault

Rapper and media personality N.O.R.E. is facing a civil lawsuit filed by Carmen Bryan, who alleges that he sexually assaulted her at a Manhattan nightclub in May 1999.

Bryan filed the civil suit more than 27 years after the alleged incident. According to a complaint obtained by Rolling Stone, Santiago allegedly physically overpowered Bryan, ignored her pleas to stop and had to be pulled away by other clubgoers.

Bryan, an entrepreneur who shares a daughter with rapper Nas, said she decided to pursue civil action after reading about the domestic violence and sex-trafficking lawsuit Casandra “Cassie” Ventura filed against Sean “Diddy” Combs in 2023.

According to the complaint, Bryan informed N.O.R.E.—real name Victor Santiago—of her plans in March and sought a private settlement. The complaint alleges that Santiago denied knowing Bryan, prompting her to file the lawsuit. A representative for N.O.R.E. did not immediately respond to Rolling Stone’s request for comment.

Bryan’s complaint also mentions Jay-Z, who is not accused of wrongdoing and is not named as a defendant. Bryan alleges that she told Jay-Z about the incident at the time and asked him not to intervene. The complaint describes Jay-Z as a trusted confidant with whom Bryan had a secret, on-and-off relationship. Jay-Z referenced Bryan in his 2001 diss track “Supa Ugly” during his feud with Nas.

In a statement to Rolling Stone, Bryan’s attorneys, Marjorie Mesidor and Heather Palmore, said Bryan is seeking accountability for the alleged assault and challenging what they described as a culture of entitlement toward women.

Bryan is suing Santiago under New York City’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act. She is seeking compensatory damages as well as damages for emotional distress and mental anguish.

Santiago—formerly one half of the hip-hop duo Capone-N-Noreaga and known for hits including “Superthug” and “Oye Mi Canto” (featuring Nina Sky, Daddy Yankee and Big Mato)—has not been found liable for Bryan’s allegations, which have not been adjudicated. The lawsuit is a civil proceeding.