These are not good times for Sean Combs. The rapper, known as “Diddy” – previously “Puff Daddy” – has been a perennial name in the world of rap and hip hop music, where he spent decades building a career with dozens of number one hits, best-selling albums and, of course, step, building an empire that has earned him billions of dollars over the years.
However, in November 2023, everything has fallen apart overnight. Just two months after being honored with the Global Icon Award at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards, his ex-partner, singer Cassie Ventura, filed an unexpected complaint against the music mogul, accusing him of mistreatment, sexual abuse and misconduct during the decade he They were together.
Among some of the allegations, Combs allegedly “raped” her on multiple occasions, suffered “episodes of horrific abuse” due to the rapper’s “uncontrollable rage,” and even “blow up” rapper Kid Cudi’s car after learning he was interested. “romantically” in it.
A lawsuit that was resolved just 24 hours later with a financial agreement between the parties, but opened the doors to new testimonies and controversies. Since then, Diddy’s life has not been without problems week after week. The day before New York State’s Adult Survivors Act expired, Combs was served with two sexual assault lawsuits, with one accusing him of drugging and raping her when she was a minor in 1991.
In December, the rapper finally spoke out, asking that the accusations against him stop and ensuring that he had never done the actions of which he was accused. A fourth lawsuit, however, accused him again of sexual abuse, this time in a group, when the victim was a minor.
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.” For the past few weeks, I have sat silently and watched people attempt to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth,” the rapper insisted. However, the demands continued to accumulate.
Since then, no less than twenty brands have broken their professional commitments to the rapper, who is seeing his empire crumble. According to Rolling Stone, with each accusation or new controversy that arises, Diddy loses new followers and sponsors; in addition to the plans for the reality show about his family, Diddy 7, in plans with the Hulu channel (Disney).
Producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones Jr. worked on The Love Album: Off the Grid 2023 and filed a lawsuit against him last February accusing him of sexual misconduct, assault and harassment.
As if that were not enough, another one was added to these problems: National Security broke into his residences in Los Angeles and Miami last March, arresting two of the magnate’s sons – Justin (30) and King (26) Combs – in the process, after linking him in a sex trafficking investigation, according to CNN. “There is no excuse for the excessive display of force and hostility exhibited by the authorities or the way in which his children and employees were treated,” said Aaron Dyer, the artist’s lawyer.
Combs’ lawyer has described this whole situation as a real “witch hunt,” but the arrest of Brendan Paul, accused of drug possession and being in charge of providing substances to the rapper, did not make things easier. Nor did he come forward. A video has come to light, from a hotel security camera, in which you can see how he attacks Cassie Ventura in 2016.
In the midst of the evolution of his legal cases, the tycoon emerged with a cryptic message on Instagram. “Time tells the truth,” read a message posted on his Instagram on May 14. Shortly after, he took to Instagram and apologized: “It’s very difficult to reflect on the darkest moments of your life, but sometimes you have to do it,” he says in the video.
“I was angry. I mean, I hit rock bottom. But I don’t make excuses. My behavior in that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions. I’m not asking for forgiveness. I’m so sorry.”