Metro Boomin, the acclaimed hip-hop producer known for his collaborations with artists like Future and 21 Savage, is facing serious allegations in a civil lawsuit filed Tuesday in Los Angeles. Vanessa LeMaistre, has accused the producer, whose real name is Leland T. Wayne, of rape, claiming he referenced the alleged assault in one of his songs after “pretending” to be her friend for months. LeMaistre also alleges that she terminated a pregnancy resulting from the incident.
According to court documents obtained by Variety, LeMaistre was dealing with the profound grief of losing her nine-month-old son when she first met Boomin in 2016. The two reportedly bonded over their mutual understanding of music’s ability to help people navigate their darkest moments. Their introduction took place during a trip to Las Vegas, where LeMaistre claims she was given a shot of alcohol shortly after arriving and ingested half of a Xanax bar to cope with her anxiety following her son’s death.
The lawsuit details that Wayne engaged LeMaistre in discussions about his own struggles with depression, stemming from a recent breakup with a long-term girlfriend. However, LeMaistre alleges that the situation took a dark turn when she lost consciousness.
“The next thing Ms. LeMaistre can recall is waking up on a bed in a different location with Wayne raping her and being completely unable to move or make a sound,” the lawsuit states. LeMaistre reports that she was in and out of consciousness, later regaining awareness to find Wayne performing oral sex on her. The lawsuit emphasizes that at no point was she able to consent to any sexual activity, characterizing Wayne’s actions as rape and sexual assault.
Following the alleged assault, LeMaistre discovered she was pregnant and opted to terminate the pregnancy soon after. Approximately a year later, Wayne released the song “Rap Saved Me,” featuring 21 Savage and Migos members Offset and Quavo. The track includes lyrics such as “She took a Xanny, then she fainted” and “She drive me crazy, have my baby,” which LeMaistre’s lawsuit cites as recounting her traumatic experience. She claims these lyrics caused her “further trauma.”
LeMaistre is seeking a jury trial and damages related to the alleged assault. In a response to the lawsuit, Lawrence Hinkle II, an attorney representing Metro Boomin, characterized the claims as a “pure shakedown” filled with false accusations. “Mr. Wayne refused to pay her months ago, and he refuses to pay her now. He will defend himself in court and plans to file a claim for malicious prosecution once he prevails,” Hinkle said in a statement to Variety.
The attorneys representing LeMaistre, Michael J. Willemin and Monica Hincken of Wigdor LLP, along with Omar H. Bengali and Robert J. Girard II of Girard Bengali, issued a statement criticizing Wayne’s actions. “Metro Boomin has built a successful career with lyrics and social media that are not only offensive but also explicitly outline his intentions to harm women. These are more than mere words, and it’s time for him to be held accountable for his manipulative tactics and unacceptable behavior,” they stated.
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The case has garnered attention not only due to Wayne’s high-profile status in the music industry but also because of the serious nature of the allegations. As the legal proceedings unfold, both parties are expected to present evidence and arguments supporting their respective claims.
