A legal complaint filed on Wednesday, September 9, alleges that Victor Santiago, known professionally as N.O.R.E., sexually assaulted Carmen Bryan nearly three decades ago. Bryan, who is the mother of Nas’ daughter, initiated the legal action in New York, citing an incident that reportedly took place in May 1999 while the rapper was actively promoting his project, Melvin Flint – Da Hustler.
According to the 20-page filing, the encounter occurred at a crowded New York City nightclub. Bryan asserts that an intoxicated N.O.R.E. engaged in nonconsensual digital penetration despite her vocal resistance, an act that allegedly required intervention from other attendees to stop. The suit further describes how Bryan attempted to leave the venue, only to be followed by the artist, who continued to make derogatory remarks until he identified her relationship to Nas, at which point he offered an apology. Bryan claims a subsequent apology was issued by N.O.R.E. weeks later during a Father’s Day event and a birthday celebration for her daughter.
While Bryan largely maintained silence regarding the encounter for years, she reportedly disclosed the incident to Jay-Z during their past relationship, specifically requesting that he refrain from intervening. She noted that the recent legal developments surrounding Cassie Ventura’s 2023 lawsuit against Diddy served as a catalyst for her own decision to seek justice. When Bryan attempted to address the matter privately with N.O.R.E. in March, the rapper reportedly denied any recollection of her.
“No woman signs up to be assaulted. The assertion that an assault is excusable—or simply did not happen—because a perpetrator failed to recognize his victim strips women of their fundamental humanity. Ms. Bryan is coming forward not only to demand accountability for the lasting trauma and public humiliation inflicted upon her, but to challenge the culture of entitlement that treats women’s bodies as collateral damage.”
This statement was provided to Rolling Stone by Marjorie Mesidor, the attorney representing Bryan. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages, as well as compensation for the emotional distress and mental anguish Bryan claims to have suffered. As of now, XXL has reached out to N.O.R.E. for comment regarding these allegations.