Jump directly to the content

THE man who believes he may be the son of Jay-Z says the rapper has been avoiding taking a paternity test for the past 14 years because his mother was only 16 when they allegedly hooked up.

Rymir Satterthwaite, 31, has been embroiled in a legal battle with the rapper since he first went to court to request a paternity test in 2010.

Rymir Satterthwaite has been trying to get Jay-Z to take a paternity test for 14 years
5
Rymir Satterthwaite has been trying to get Jay-Z to take a paternity test for 14 yearsCredit: John Chapple for The U.S. Sun
Jay-Z has so far refused and has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with Rymir and his family
5
Jay-Z has so far refused and has been involved in a lengthy legal battle with Rymir and his familyCredit: Getty
Rymir and his mother, Wanda, who claims she slept with Jay-Z aged 16
5
Rymir and his mother, Wanda, who claims she slept with Jay-Z aged 16Credit: Courtesy of Rymir Satterthwaite

Jay-Z - real name Shawn Carter - denies being Rymir's father but has never taken a test, claiming the New Jersey court had no jurisdiction over him and sparking a bitter legal battle lasting over a decade.

Rymir and his godmother, Dr Lillie Coley, recently filed a lawsuit against several judges and the court system of New Jersey, alleging they "conspired" with the rapper to have cases relating to his paternity, inheritance, and abuse of court processes dismissed.

They allege in the court papers they have lost over $100,000 due to the case - and are still having money taken from them by Carter due to his lawyers having "illegal liens" placed on their New Jersey home.

Now Rymir and Lillie have told The U.S. Sun that they believe that Jay-Z is "scared" to take the paternity test because Wanda was only 16 at the time she alleges she slept with Jay-Z.

Read more on Jay-Z

They claim they tried to request a paternity test privately and were forced to go to court when it was refused.

"I think behind the scenes, he's scared," Lillie said.

"Rymir's mother was underage. That's why he's not doing it.

"But at the end of the day, we were trying to do it behind the scenes, and then it was brought to our attention after research that they had the age problem - because we didn't even bring it up.

"We were just naive, just trying to get the paternity closure. But then we realized that we always protected him. We never went and blasted it.

"But I have to say here - he's not doing this [the paternity test] because of Rymir's mother's age ... because he [Jay-Z] got two problems: one she was underage, and then she got pregnant.

Jay-Z and Beyonce's $3billion net worth 'could take a big hit' after rape claims, lawyer says

"He could have still done something behind the scenes and come up with a good solution. And this would be over with - you don't even need the courts."

Rymir added: "I think he got some type of thought in his mind that you know 'This got some type of truth to it', … honestly, I can't speak for another man, but I would think that's what's going on.

"We've been fighting for this for years, and obviously, he could have got this taken care of.

"We've been doing all the correct things... basically [he] just
brushed it to the side."

Rymir's mother, Wanda, alleged she had unprotected sex with Jay-Z - then known as "Rock" - when she was aged 16, in Brooklyn, NY, after he picked her up in Philadelphia, PA, in 1992.

Her on-off boyfriend at the time, Robert Graves, was listed on Rymir's birth certificate until he was legally removed in 2011 after a DNA test proved he was not the father.

'FOUGHT TO THE END'

Wanda was determined to fight for Rymir to know who his biological father was - but sadly died before she could get answers for her son.

Rymir and Lillie allege in their latest lawsuit that Wanda, who was sick, died sooner than she would have due to the stresses and strains of the case.

Rymir said: "It played the role because my mom was so dedicated on getting the case done and over with.

"She did anything they asked for, if we needed to be there, and we needed to file again, my God, mom made sure we was there ... They said travel, and they traveled. She would do anything for me ... she was just so supportive.

"And I believe she just fought this and to the end, because we we honestly didn't know, you know, that my mom was gonna pass, you know like that?

"Honestly, it was just random to me, but it happened, and at least I say she fought this case until she passed, and she was just so serious about getting it done.

"So she passed it on to me, and I'm here."

RAPE ACCUSATIONS

It comes after Jay-Z was accused of taking it in turns to rape an unidentified female when she was age 13 alongside rap pal Diddy at an MTV VMA after-party in 2000.

He has vehemently denied the claims and blasted them as a "blackmail attempt."

When asked how he felt when he read the allegations, Rymir said: "I was a little confused. I was at a loss. I was hoping that it wasn't true.

"But if it is, you know, honestly, you cannot do things like that.

"You will get what you deserve. You know, no one should ever be
touching any underage kids or doing anything with any underage kids. The kids are our world-like; I love kids to death. I love our teens ... so when you can do things like that, it's sickening and crazy.

"So I would hope these allegations will come out different. But if they do not, and he did do these things, he really will get what he deserves."

'DAY OF RECKONING'

Rymir and Lillie believe the latest accusation could be a "day of reckoning" in Jay-Z's career and in the hip-hop industry,

"I think it is a turning point, so I do believe that it's a pivotal time in history and a pivotal time in the industry because everybody has a day of reckoning," Lillie added.

"And this is why you got to be careful how you treat people and what you do because I believe you will reap what you sow.

"So I think at this point, it would be something that will overspill to our case because it shows the broader narrative, the broader scope of what's going on, and that this goes deep and wide.

"We've been fighting for this for years, and obviously he could have got this taken care of.

Rymir Satterthwaite

"I'm sitting here going through what I'm going through for my goddaughter first, then my godson, not understanding my role in this, and then I had to keep persevering to see the unfolding of the bigger picture.

"So, unfortunately, in our case, Mr. Carter, allowed these things to happen. Rich and powerful, he had the ability to not just do a paternity test but to put a stop to this nonsense."

SEARCH FOR TRUTH

As well as having liens put on their home as a result of the case, Rymir alleges he has been "shot at by unknown individuals" after complaining about the "injustices" he faced throughout his case to local authorities in Camden County, NJ, in 2017.

Both Rymir and Lillie also say they have been followed and had people drive on to their lawn at 4am in the morning - activities which they allege in the court filing may have been orchestrated by Carter's team.

The complaint does not identify any direct evidence to support these claims.

But Rymir said even after more than a decade of legal fighting, he will not give up his quest for truth and fairness.

"We just want the truth," he said.

"You guys have gone and dragged this out. For years and years, you haven't been giving us fair due process.

"What was the reason? Can you guys explain? You guys caused us harm; you caused us this stress?

"You know it's been. It's been ongoing battle, you know I'm not complaining.

"I'm just explaining things that we've been going through throughout these years, and we still stay level-headed and calm and just try to do what was best for us and the community.

"We never been trying to hurt anyone...we only came in here to find out the truth."

Jay-Z's full statement following rape allegations

"My lawyer received a blackmail attempt, called a demand letter, from a “lawyer”... What he had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle.

No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!

These allegations are so heinous in nature that I implore you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil one!! Whomever would commit such a crime against a minor should be locked away, would you not agree?

These alleged victims would deserve real justice if that were the case.

This lawyer, who I have done a bit of research on, seems to have a pattern of these type of theatrics!

I have no idea how you have come to be such a deplorable human Mr. [X], but I promise you I have seen your kind many times over. I’m more than prepared to deal with your type. You claim to be a marine?! Marines are known for their valor, you have neither honor nor dignity.

My only heartbreak is for my family. My wife and I will have to sit our children down, one of whom is at the age where her friends will surely see the press and ask questions about the nature of these claims, and explain the cruelty and greed of people. I mourn yet another loss of innocence. Children should not have to endure such at their young age. It is unfair to have to try to understand inexplicable degrees of malice meant to destroy families and human spirit.

My heart and support goes out to true victims in the world, who have to watch how their life story is dressed in costume for profitability by this ambulance chaser in a cheap suit.

You have made a terrible error in judgement thinking that all “celebrities” are the same. I’m not from your world. I’m a young man who made it out of the project of Brooklyn. We don’t play these types of games. We have very strict codes and honor. We protect children, you seem to exploit people for personal gain. Only your network of conspiracy theorists, fake physics, will believe the idiotic claims you have levied against me that, if not for the seriousness surrounding harm to kids, would be laughable.

I look forward to showing you just how different I am."

Rymir also made a direct plea to Jay-Z, saying he never wanted any money or fame - just to know who his father was.

He says the case is now "beyond" a paternity claim - and he is fighting to ensure everyone has the right to fair, due process in court.

Asked what he would say to Jay-Z if he were to speak to him face to face, Rymir said: "Honestly, I would just still be me, I would say. We could have talked a long time ago and probably got this taken care of.

"I never had no hard feelings against you, or anything like that, I just wanted to know the truth and it just seemed like, now my mom's not here ... like it just pushed the fight into me way more.

"Just knowing what a lovable person she was, and everything she did, just to have me be the person I am today.

";She really tried her best. She struggled; she did it all so we could have got this taken care of, and if it [the paternity test] was wrong, you know it was wrong.

"If it was right, you know. Still, no hard feelings...We can grow and have a relationship if you want that. But if you didn't, you know I'm still gonna be the man I am.

"But I wasn't hating. I would say this is all craziness that it took all this time, and I understand you probably got your reasons, you know.

"People say he probably got a lot of people chasing after him, saying, 'Oh, you - he's your son,' and a lot of celebrities got this going on, but I'm not one of them. I'm not.

"I'm really not trying to chase you, to get no fame off you or no money. I don't want anything from you. I always said this."

READ MORE SUN STORIES

The U.S. Sun reached out to representatives for Jay-Z for comment.

The New Jersey Judiciary Office said they do not comment on "pending litigation."

Jay-Z and Beyoncé attend the Los Angeles premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King last week
5
Jay-Z and Beyoncé attend the Los Angeles premiere of Mufasa: The Lion King last weekCredit: Getty
Jay-Z and Kanye West pictured in 2004
5
Jay-Z and Kanye West pictured in 2004Credit: Getty
Topics