LOS ANGELES (AP) — Sean “Diddy” Combs has built a hit-making empire filled with big-name artists that has established him as a music mogul, winning three Grammy Awards and garnering high-profile deals in other industries.
But now Combs’ empire is coming crashing down amid sex trafficking and extortion charges. He was arrested in New York on September 16th and an indictment accuses him of using his “power and fame” to lure female victims and male sex workers into “freak-offs,” as well as allegations of abuse dating back to 2008.
If convicted, Combs faces at least 15 years in prison. He has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting trial.
Since allegations emerged last year, Combs’ public image has taken a nosedive as he missed out on some big deals. He stepped down as chairman of Revolt TV and later sold a majority stake in the company. He reportedly lost his reality show with Hulu and his influential clothing line, Sean John, can no longer be found on Macy’s department store website.
After footage emerged of Combs assaulting his then-girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie, in a hotel hallway in 2016, he lost his keys to his New York City city, Peloton suspended his music, his honorary degree from Howard University disappeared in disgrace, and the charter school he attended, Capital Preparatory School in Harlem, cut ties with him.
Earlier this year, Combs withdrew a lawsuit he filed last year against London-based liquor giant Diageo as part of a settlement with the company that left it the sole owner of Ciroc and DeLeon.
Combs may have lost a major deal, but at least for now, his music remains unaffected. While we wait for more details, let’s dig into Combs’ music and his public image since the indictment.
Where does his music fit in?
Combs’ Bad Boy Records may be associated with 1990s artists like Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e and 112, but his label has also been active in recent releases by several popular artists.
Last year, Combs released his first solo studio album since 2006, “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” and Janelle Monáe released “The Age of Pleasure” on her own label. Both projects were nominated for Grammy Awards, with Monáe’s album being nominated for Record of the Year.
In 2022, Machine Gun Kelly also released the album Mainstream Sellout under the name Bad Boy.
Despite his arrest, Combs’ music is still available on several major streaming services, including Spotify, Apple Music, and Amazon Music, though distributors have not yet commented on how they plan to feature Combs’ music on their platforms in the future.
Prior to the release of The Love Album, Combs returned Bad Boy’s publishing rights to the artists and songwriters, a move that came after years of criticism that he mistreated artists.
Diddy’s friends react
Some expressed concern for Combs’ children, while others expressed shame over his blunders and actions that have become the subject of jokes.
Entertainers such as 50 Cent, LL Cool J, Shyne, Aubrey O’Day, Sharmaan Tha God and Notorious B.I.G’s mother have publicly spoken out about Combs.
“I know how his kids feel,” LL Cool J told The Associated Press in a recent interview. He and Combs collaborated on the 1997 album “Phenomenon.”
While LL Cool J expressed his concerns, 50 Cent also chimed in in a social media post, with the TV mogul-turned-rapper slamming Combs after police seized drugs, videos and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant during searches of his homes in Los Angeles and Florida.
50 Cent posted his thoughts after his recent appearance on Drew Barrymore’s talk show.
“I’m good friends with @thedrewbarrymoreshow and I don’t have 1,000 bottles of lotion in my house,” said 50 Cent, who has frequently criticized Combs during the allegations and is preparing a Netflix documentary series about the allegations against Combs.
Former Bad Boy artist Shyne said he doesn’t see any room for Combs to potentially go to prison, despite past trouble between the pair.
“This is the man who destroyed my life,” said Shine, who was convicted of assault and other charges for a shooting that injured three people at a Manhattan nightclub in 1999. Combs’ then-girlfriend, singer and actress Jennifer Lopez, was also there when the shots rang out.
Combs was acquitted of charges that he brought an illegal gun to the club and tried to bribe the driver to pay for it, but Shine was convicted of assault and other charges in the shooting and served about eight years in prison.
Currently going by the name Moses Barrow, he is a member of the House of Representatives in his native Belize, where his father once served as prime minister.
“But do I take any joy or satisfaction in what he’s going through? Not at all,” he continued. “I’m not like most people. I don’t need someone to fail in order for me to succeed.”
BIG’s mother, Voletta Wallace, said she “wanted to punch” her son after seeing Combs attack Cassie. She felt embarrassed for Combs, who, along with her son, played a major role in shaping East Coast hip hop in the 1990s.
Will Diddy’s music be cancelled?
The short answer is, mostly, no, but listeners of Combs’ music are growing wary, with some online wondering if it’s time to distance themselves from his records.
Most online say that might be difficult, especially since many of his biggest hits have been collaborations with other artists.
Combs has released a number of memorable singles, including “I’ll Be Missing You” featuring Faith Evans and 112, “Victory” featuring Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes, “I Need a Girl (Part One)” featuring Usher and Rune, “Last Night” featuring Keyshia Cole, and “Been Around the World” with Maze, who also teamed with Combs on “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down.”