Sean “Diddy” Combs: The deep fall of the powerful hip-hop star

“When I look at my work, I call myself an inventor: an inventor of culture, an inventor of music, an inventor of groundbreaking ideas.” This is how Sean “Diddy” Combs described himself in a conversation with DJ Khaled in 2019 in Rolling Stone magazine. This self-image is not entirely unjustified – even if it sounds a bit megalomaniacal. Diddy shaped the hip-hop scene of the 90s and 00s like no other. He produced hits, wrote his own and surrounded himself with the most promising artists.

Sean “Diddy” Combs: Allegations of violence against musician

These days, however, it turns out that Diddy could be the most powerful monster in the hip-hop world. The allegations against him paint an ugly picture of manipulation, domestic and sexual violence, and blackmail. A surveillance video from 2016 was recently made public, showing Diddy beating up his then-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura in a hotel hallway.

The negative headlines surrounding Diddy began late last year when Ventura filed a lawsuit against her ex-partner. This was followed by lawsuits from other women. Ventura’s 35-page indictment included allegations of psychological and physical violence and manipulation. Diddy was said to have a tendency to throw tantrums and to regularly beat his girlfriend. “These beatings were witnessed by Mr. Combs’ associates and employees of Bad Boy Entertainment and Mr. Combs’ associated companies, but no one dared to stand up to their fearsome and cruel boss… After these episodes of horrific abuse, Mr. Combs immediately attempted to hide Ms. Ventura and the evidence of his violent rage. He often showered her with gifts after incidents of physical violence, a typical pattern of behavior for serial offenders,” the lawsuit said.

Lawsuit by ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura

Cassie and Diddy’s relationship began with a power imbalance. When the young, aspiring musician met hip-hop great Sean Combs, she was 19 and he was 37. Not only that: Combs, who had already been nicknamed Diddy, P. Diddy, Puff Daddy, Puffy, Swag, Love and Brother Love during his career, was one of the most important decision-makers in the industry. In 1993 he founded his label Bad Boy Records and represented The Notorious BIG and Mary J. Blige, among others.

At the end of 2023, both agreed to a settlement. Diddy said at the time that he had never been violent. The video recordings have now shockingly proven that this is not true. In recent days, Ventura has received a lot of support and sympathy on Instagram, for which she expressed her gratitude. However, she urged people to believe the alleged victims the first time.

Lawsuit by Rodney Jones

But that’s not all. At the beginning of this year, music producer Rodney Jones also filed a lawsuit against Diddy and other people from his circle. Jones describes his time with Diddy between September 2022 and November 2023, during which he sometimes lived with the musician. Among other things, he addresses an incident from September 2022 in which a shooting apparently occurred in a music studio. In several places, Jones also accuses Diddy of harassment, of touching him against his will. There is also talk of drugs and human trafficking and of blackmail. Diddy used his power and influence to intimidate Jones and force him to do things he did not want to do. As one of the most successful producers in the hip-hop scene, Diddy’s influence is indeed immense. He has the means to advance a career or nip it in the bud.

Diddy’s lawyer described the allegations a few weeks ago as “unfounded accusations in civil lawsuits.”

At the end of March, the authorities finally reacted. Officials searched the rapper’s houses in the states of California and Florida. Two names that are mentioned again and again in the course of the reporting are Justin Bieber and Usher. They are both said to have been guests at Diddy’s so-called “Flavor Camp”, the musician’s New York home. Usher was there for the first time when he was 14 years old. In an interview with Howard Stern in 2016, the singer revealed: “I had the opportunity to see some things… I don’t know if I could get involved and even understand what I saw.” He would definitely not send his children to Diddy’s “Flavor Camp”, Usher said at the time.

Connections to Usher and Justin Bieber

Justin Bieber was also considered a protégé of Diddy. A video from 2009 recently made the rounds, showing Diddy, who was 40 at the time, with 15-year-old Justin Bieber. “We can’t really say where we hang out and what we do, but it’s definitely a 15-year-old’s dream,” Diddy says in it. “I don’t have legal guardianship of him, but he’s with me for the next 48 hours,” he continues. Statements that seem disturbing today, considering the age difference between the two.

Diddy denies all allegations made against him. At the beginning of April, his lawyer Aaron Dyer spoke of an “unprecedented ambush” and a “witch hunt” when he criticized the house searches by officials. The rapper only commented on the video that came to light, which proves Diddy’s violence towards Cassie Ventura. “My behavior in this video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my behavior in this video,” he said in a video on Instagram.

Diddy may see himself as the “inventor of culture, the inventor of music, the inventor of groundbreaking ideas.” At the moment, however, the producer is in dire straits. If the allegations are true, he has built up a system of abuse of power, manipulation and violence over the years. A system that is already known from other industries and other cases. Harvey Weinstein is probably the best-known example of sexual crimes and abuse of power, but he is by no means the only one who has been accused of such misconduct.

Recently, a lawsuit was also filed against Diddy’s son Christian “King” Combs. The 26-year-old is accused of sexual harassment and infliction of emotional distress. The incident is said to have taken place on a yacht chartered by Diddy. Combs’ lawyer called the accusations “fabricated lies,” according to “Rolling Stone.”

Sources: 1 / 2 / / /

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