In addition to music, rising rap star Sexyy Red is making headlines for something else. The 26-year-old St. Louis rapper, whose name is Janae Wherry, is now on the receiving end of a $5 million lawsuit after allegedly inciting violence against her child's grandmother, Nicole Barnes, in a social media post.
But court documents filed this week allege that Sexyy Red shared Barnes' address and picture of her home in Hazelwood on Facebook as fans were told to "kick in the door" and "conduct acts of violence" against the woman, who is 51. The post is said to stem from an ongoing feud between the rapper and the father of her child, but Barnes insists she had nothing to do with their beef.
Barnes, the paternal grandmother of one of Sexyy Red's two kids, tells Page Six she found the alarming post on Dec. 3. Scared for herself, she did the only thing she could to protect herself and her family. Barnes' lawyer, Steven Weaver, stressed that his client was an innocent caught in the crossfire of a feud unrelated to her.
"Sexyy Red and her baby daddy are getting into beefs, for whatever reason, that don't have anything to do with my client," Weaver said. "We did attempt an informal resolution, and her lawyers thought it was a joke."
Barnes is suing Sexyy Red for assault, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and negligent infliction of emotional distress, according to the lawsuit. The legal filing claims that the rapper's behavior on social media caused Barnes "extreme trauma," prompting her to leave home out of fear for her safety.
Florida law's alleged incident has been devastating. Barnes and her family have since moved out of their home in Hazelwood out of concern for their safety. She says she has had difficulty finding comparable and affordable housing and has been under significant financial and emotional stress.
The lawsuit also describes the emotional distress Barnes has continued to experience since the alleged social media attack. She has allegedly needed professional counseling to cope with the anxiety and fear caused by the situation.
Sexyy Red has not yet publicly commented on the lawsuit or the allegations. It remains to be seen if she will contest the case in court or try to settle.
This issue calls into question the power of social media accounts and how what we do online can impact the world around us. Although Hip-Hop is not foreign to drama and celebrity legal disputes, this case reminds us of the risks that can occur when people take to platforms to air their grievances with each other. Meanwhile, fans and critics are watching closely to see how this legal battle plays out and what it means for the rising star's future.
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