The legal battle over a now dismissed sexual assault lawsuit between Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter and Houston lawyer Tony Buzbee has taken a new turn. Jay-Z's defamation lawsuit against Buzbee is now headed to trial after Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Mark H.

Jay-Z's lawsuit against famed Texas attorney Tony Buzbee reportedly contains enough merit to proceed to trial.

A Los Angeles judge was leaning toward allowing rapper's defamation claim against lawyer to continue but not a related extortion claim

Z’s defamation lawsuit against Houston attorney Tony Buzbee had enough merit to go to trial, Rolling Stone Magazine reports. However, the rapper’s separate extortion claim against Buzbee may not stand in trial.

According to Rolling Stone, a Los Angeles judge, Mark H. Epstein, stated on Tuesday that Jay-Z’s defamation claim has enough merit to move forward. The judge noted that the key issue is whether Buzbee acted recklessly and with actual malice when he included Jay-Z as a defendant in the now-dismissed lawsuit.

Z‘s defamation lawsuit against Tony Buzbee to proceed as alleged evidence shows the Houston attorney sharing and liking incriminating posts on X. RELATED: Tony Buzbee Drops Sexual Assault Lawsuit Against Jay-Z And Diddy According to Rolling Stone,