“When I look at my work, I describe myself as an inventor: an inventor of culture, an inventor of music, an inventor of groundbreaking ideas.” This is how Sean “Diddy” Combs assessed himself in a conversation with DJ Khaled in Rolling Stone magazine in 2019. This self-image is not entirely unjustified – even if it sounds a bit megalomaniacal. Diddy shaped the hip-hop scene of the 90s and noughties like no other. He produced hits, wrote some himself and surrounded himself with the most promising artists.
These days, however, it turns out that Diddy might just be the most powerful monster in the hip-hop world. Because the allegations made against him paint an ugly picture of manipulation, domestic and sexual violence and blackmail. A surveillance video from 2016 recently became public that shows Diddy beating up his then-girlfriend Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura in a hotel hallway.
The negative headlines surrounding Diddy began at the end of last year when Ventura filed a lawsuit against her ex-partner. This was followed by complaints from other women. Ventura’s 35-page indictment included allegations of psychological and physical violence and manipulation. Diddy is said to have been prone to tantrums and regularly hit 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 defend themselves against their fearsome and cruel boss… After these episodes of horrific abuse, Mr. Combs immediately tried to hide Ms. Ventura and the evidence of his violent rage, often showering her with gifts after incidents of physical violence, a typical pattern of behavior among serial offenders,” the lawsuit said.
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 B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige, among others.
At the end of 2023, both agreed on 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 the past few days, Ventura has received a lot of encouragement and sympathy on Instagram, for which she expressed her gratitude. However, she urged people to believe the alleged victims the first time.
On top of that. At the beginning of this year, music producer Rodney Jones also filed a lawsuit against Diddy and other people close to him. Jones describes his time with Diddy between September 2022 and November 2023, during which he partly lived with the musician. Among other things, he addresses an incident from September 2022 in which there apparently was a shooting in a music studio. At several points, Jones also accuses Diddy of harassment and is said to have touched him against his will. There is also talk of drugs and human trafficking and of extortion. Diddy used his power and influence to intimidate Jones and force him to do things he didn’t want. As one of the hip-hop scene’s most successful producers, Diddy’s influence is indeed immense. He has the means to advance a career or to nip it in the bud.
Diddy’s lawyer described the allegations a few weeks ago as “unfounded allegations in civil lawsuits.”
The authorities finally responded at the end of March. Officials searched the rapper’s homes in California and Florida. Two names that are mentioned again and again in 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. In a 2016 interview with Howard Stern, the singer revealed, “I had the opportunity to see some things… I don’t know if I could wrap my head around it and even understand what I was seeing.” Under no circumstances would he send his children to Diddy’s “Flavor Camp,” Usher said at the time.
Justin Bieber was also considered Diddy’s protégé. A video from 2009 recently made the rounds showing Diddy, then 40, 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. “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, given 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 officers. The rapper only commented on the video that came to light that 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 an “inventor of culture, inventor of music, inventor of groundbreaking ideas.” At the moment, however, the producer is probably up to his neck in water. 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 perhaps the most well-known example of sexual assault and abuse of power, but he is far from the only one who has been accused of such misconduct.
A lawsuit was also recently 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’ attorney called the allegations “fabricated lies,” according to Rolling Stone.
Quellen: “Rolling Stone” 1 / “Rolling Stone” 2 / “New York Post” / “Billboard” / CNN
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She was 19, he was 37: How Cassie Ventura and Diddy’s relationship started and what she accuses him of
