Jay-Z isn’t backing down in his legal fight against high-profile attorney Tony Buzbee. On Tuesday (June 1), Los Angeles County Judge Mark Epstein dismissed the rap icon’s defamation and extortion lawsuit, though the judge admitted he wasn’t "wholly satisfied" with having to make that decision. Now, the case is heading to the Court of Appeals, where Hov hopes to find a more favorable outcome.

Jay-Z’s legal team, led by attorney Robert M. Schwartz, officially filed an appeal following the dismissal. Another of his attorneys, Alex Spiro, confirmed that they fully intend to challenge the ruling, which he believes rests on a flawed application of California law. 

Judge Epstein acknowledged that the Court of Appeals must now determine whether his judgment was "right or wrong."

Buzbee’s Accusations Sparked Major Legal Battle

The legal battle began when Tony Buzbee sent a demand letter to Alex Spiro last year. In the letter, Buzbee accused Jay-Z and Sean "Diddy" Combs of sexually assaulting a minor in 2000. Jay-Z denied the claims and responded with an amended lawsuit, alleging that Buzbee’s actions caused him to lose $190 million in business deals, loan opportunities, and personal income.

Although the initial suit was thrown out, Buzbee isn’t walking away quietly. He told TMZ that the court’s dismissal came through “a lengthy, well-reasoned opinion,” and now he plans to go after Jay-Z’s legal team for substantial compensation, calling their case “meritless.”

Spiro, however, blasted the ruling and said Buzbee knowingly made false and damaging claims. “What does it say about our justice system if someone can knowingly bring false accusations of the most heinous kind and escape accountability on a technicality?” he asked.

For now, the appeal moves forward—and Jay-Z is prepared to fight all the way.