Jay Z and Beyonce: How will Hip-Hop’s Most Powerful Couple Respond to Allegations of ‘Love Child’?

Allegations have surfaced claiming that rapper Jay Z already has a child with Trinidad model Shenelle Scott, dismissing the impression that the husband of Beyonce was to become a parent for the first time.

The accusations have come from a source who told Star magazine that the 41-year-old rapper fathered a young boy nine years ago with the model and is still in contact with her, also giving her child support.

"Shenelle told me that Jay-Z gave her $1 million to keep her mouth shut. My understanding is that he's paying her child support" said the source.

It is understood that initially a man named Malik Sayeed was believed to be the father and later DNA reports proved that the Jay Z is the child's biological father, reports Hindustan Times.

"At the time he was born, my son Malik thought he was his child, but they did DNA tests. It's been determined that the child is Jay-Z's baby," the Daily Mail quoted Sayeed's father Jerard Andrews as saying.

The source told Star magazine that the child possesses many of Jay-Z's features, and that the rap mogul is even helping the, then new mother set up a home in Trinidad to raise the child.

According to the source Jay Z and model Shenelle Scott have been friends for years before he met Beyonce, stating:

"Everyone knew she was sleeping around and sleeping with Jay. There was a good chance it was his."

News of Jay Z's alleged love child coincides with wife Beyoncé's pregnancy announcement, which received universal congratulations.

However Star magazine claims that Beyoncé is "well aware" that Jay Z has a son, and despite being furious at first, she has come to accept the news, reports MTV.

If true, the ramifications on Beyoncé's career and image could prove negative, being that she has spent most of her career preaching female empowerment.

Jay Z, Beyonce or thier representatives are yet to comment on the 'love child' allegations.