Jay Z Master Recordings In 'Extortion Plot'

A set of master recordings by Jay Z have reportedly become the subject of a theft and extortion plot worth millions of dollars.

TMZ claims police have questioned a producer who worked for the rapper at Roc-A-Fella Records from 1998 to 2002.

The website states that Chauncey Mahan had a number of the recordings in a storage facility in Northridge, California.

It is believed the record label believed they had been lost.

Mahan allegedly told Live Nation, which has a joint venture with Jay Z called Roc Nation, he would either put the tapes up for auction or give them the tapes for a $100,000 (£60,000) "storage fee".

He is reported to have settled for $75,000 (£44,000).

It is thought Los Angeles police travelled to the storage facility on Friday after being contacted by Jay Z, 44, and consequently detained Mahan. He was questioned but not arrested.

The recordings could be worth up to $20m (£12m).

The LAPD has taken possession of the tapes until a judge makes a decision on the rightful ownership.

TMZ said the rapper's team also filed a grand larceny complaint on Friday with the NYPD, who are investigating the allegations.

Jay Z, whose real name is Shawn Carter, is married to Beyonce and the couple have a daughter, Blue Ivy. He is one of the most successful hip hop artists in the world.