Carmen Bryan has sued rapper N.O.R.E., alleging that he sexually assaulted her at a New York City club in the 1990s.
According to a complaint obtained by TMZ, Bryan alleges that N.O.R.E., whose real name is Victor Santiago, approached her while “visibly intoxicated” and sexually assaulted her in front of her friends.
Bryan claims she repeatedly told the rapper to stop, but alleges that he physically overpowered her until other people at the club intervened and pulled him away.
She says she then ran from the club in tears, but alleges Santiago followed her outside and questioned whether she knew who he was.
According to the complaint, Bryan claims Santiago later recognized her under the streetlights and allegedly told her, “Carm, I didn’t know it was you. You’re always doing something different with your hair.”
Bryan also alleges that N.O.R.E. attempted to apologize weeks later at an event that combined a Father’s Day celebration with a birthday party for her daughter, Destiny, whom she shares with rapper Nas.
The lawsuit also brings Jay-Z into the account. Bryan claims she told him about the alleged assault and says he reacted strongly, threatening to confront Santiago personally. According to Bryan, she asked him not to do so.
Bryan says she remained publicly silent about the alleged incident for years. She claims that Cassie’s lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs eventually prompted her to revisit her own experience.
“Learning of that filing triggered Ms. Bryan’s own traumatic memories of Santiago’s assault,” the complaint states.
Bryan further alleges that the public nature of the incident intensified its emotional impact, particularly because she says it happened in front of friends and other clubgoers.
The lawsuit says Bryan attempted to resolve the matter privately with N.O.R.E. in March, but alleges that he denied the accusations.
Bryan is seeking compensatory damages, including damages related to emotional distress and mental anguish.
The allegations against N.O.R.E. are contained in a civil complaint and have not been established as facts in court.
