Jay-Z not responsible for 1999 NYC stabbing despite pleading guilty, says victim Lance ‘Un’ Rivera
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Lance 'Un' Rivera, a former music executive, recently came forward to clarify a long-standing incident involving musician Jay-Z. Rivera has stepped forward claiming that Jay-Z was not guilty of stabbing him 24 years ago, despite prior reports and a prior conviction.
The 1999 incident has drawn a lot of media interest and speculative discussion throughout the years. Rivera has since broken his silence, giving further information on the situation.
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'No.No, Jaz-Y was not the guy who actually stabbed me that night'
In an interview with TMZ, Rivera stated, "Jay-Z didn't stab me" in '99. Rivera's statement contradicts the conviction that had linked Jay-Z to the stabbing incident. "I ended up surrounded by a bunch of people...and I got up being stabbed." As the host on LADTV asked "Was it J-Zy who actually stabbed you, "Rivera without any hesitation says "No". "No, Jaz-Y was not the guy who actually stabbed me that night."
The host continued to confirm asking "But Jay-Z was there...was actually in front of you when you got stabbed," to which Rivera replied, "Me and Jay-Z had a conversation right before I got hit in the head with a champagne bottle...and it was a brief conservation..." Rivera said, "I don't know where from people got that Jay -Z stabbed me because if anybody knows Jay-Z, he is a nice guy. He is an artist. He is a poet, he is gifted..."
Things grew hot, bottles were broken and Rivera ended up getting stabbed
The events dates back to December 2, 1992. The police at the time reported that after giving a performance at an Irving Plaza listening party for the upcoming Vol. 3... Life and Times of S Carter album, Jay-Z and other members of the Roc-A-Fella crew traveled to the Kit Kat Klub in Manhattan where Q-Tip was hosting a release party for his first solo album 'Amplified.' Jigga and Roc's entourage approached "Un" at the party right away. Things grew hot, bottles were broken, and Rivera ended up getting stabbed with a big sword during the static. Jay promptly fled the Kit Kat Klub, but the "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" MC was named by witnesses as the perpetrator who stabbed the person, according to the police report.
Jay-Z turned himself in within 24 hours to NYPD
Jay-Z turned himself in within 24 hours to NYPD. Hov was placed under arrest for felony charges facing up to 15 years in prison. Even though his lawyers maintained his innocence, the case underwent a lengthy battle and aimed many delays the superstar pleaded guilty in October in 2001. After entering a plea, a new court date was arranged, and on December 6, 2001, Jay-Z was given a three-year probationary term. As a result, the Roc-A-Fella founder was prohibited from leaving New York without the approval of his probation officer.