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Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Who is Diddy? Everything to know about hip-hop mogul facing federal sex crimes trial
Sean "Diddy" Combs, who rocketed to worldwide fame with his musical prowess and business acumen, has been thrust into the legal limelight. A year after becoming the subject of a federal sex-trafficking investigation, the award-winning hip-hop mogul is set to go to trial May 5 on various sex-crimes charges, which collectively claim Combs used his multimedia empire as a criminal enterprise to victimize several people. The court battle also follows a barrage of damning civil lawsuits — spearheaded by a civil complaint from singer and ex-girlfriend Casandra "Cassie" Ventura — that have upended Combs' public persona and accused the rapper of numerous abuses, including sexual assault, rape and physical violence. Despite run-ins with the law stretching back three decades, Combs managed to solidify his status as a pop cultural juggernaut thanks to a steady stream of platinum albums, hit TV shows and retail ventures that included a fashion label and alcoholic beverages line. Combs has denied all allegations against him and pleaded not guilty to the five criminal counts he faces. Here's a look back at the hip-hop icon's life, career and fall from grace. In September 2024, Combs was arrested in New York based on an indictment filed by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of New York. He was subsequently charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution. Federal authorities claimed Combs turned his "multi-faceted business empire" into a "criminal enterprise" in which he and his associates engaged in kidnapping, arson and physical violence, sex trafficking and forced labor, among other alleged crimes. A superseding indictment filed April 3 — the third revised indictment following an amended indictment in January and a superseding indictment in March — charged him with two additional counts: one of sex trafficking and one of transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Despite repeated attempts at bail, Combs was ordered to remain in custody at the Special Housing Unit in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center ahead of his May 5 trial — a ruling his legal team has challenged. He's been in jail since his arrest on Sept. 16, 2024. Diddy on trial newsletter: Step inside the courtroom as rapper faces sex crimes, trafficking charges Combs got his start in the music industry in the early 1990s as an intern — and later talent director — at Uptown Records, where he worked with emerging acts such as Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. He then founded his own music label, Bad Boy Records, in 1993. The company has sold over 500 million records, produced 38 platinum singles and earned multiple Grammy Awards, according to the official website for Combs Global. The Bad Boy founder, under the stage name Puff Daddy, launched a solo music career in the summer of 1997 with the album "No Way Out." The hip-hop LP, which featured the No. 1 hit "I'll Be Missing You," sold 7 million copies and earned Combs a pair of Grammys for best rap album and best rap performance by a duo or group. Combs has also gone by the aliases Puffy, Puff, P. Diddy, Diddy, Love and Brother Love. Combs' showbiz success wasn't limited to the radio airwaves. He proved himself a television personality when he took on the reality-TV franchise "Making the Band." The talent competition series spawned Combs-produced groups including Danity Kane, Da Band and Day26. In the fashion world, Combs struck gold with his Sean John line, which launched with a sportswear collection in 1998. The style retailer, which expanded to include accessories, fragrances and footwear, won Combs a Council of Fashion Designers of America Award in 2004 for menswear designer of the year, the first Black designer to earn the honor. As an entrepreneur, Combs also found success in the spirits world, collaborating with British beverage maker Diageo on its vodka brand Cîroc in a since-terminated "equal-share venture." As a producer, Combs helped define the sound of '90s hip-hop by crafting hits for the likes of The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Mariah Carey and Faith Evans, such as "Juicy," "Real Love," "Honey" and "You Used to Love Me." Combs' musical prowess seamlessly carried over to his solo act. The rapper has amassed 15 top 10 entries on the Billboard Hot 100, which include the No. 1 hits "I'll Be Missing You," "Mo Money Mo Problems," "Shake Ya Tailfeather," "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "Bump, Bump, Bump." Combs is not married, although he has had several longterm relationships. The rapper's most enduring romance was with model-actress Kimberly Porter, who died of pneumonia in November 2018. The on-again, off-again couple officially called it quits in 2007 after 13 years of dating, but the two remained friendly, often spending holidays together. Combs also dated R&B singer Ventura in the mid-2000s. The two became involved professionally and sexually when Ventura was 19 and Combs was 36. Their relationship spanned a decade. Combs' most recent high-profile relationship was with rapper Caresha Brownlee, better known as Yung Miami from the rap duo City Girls. Brownlee, who was first linked to Combs in 2021, confirmed she was single in an April 2023 interview with The Cut. Ventura accused the rapper of rape, sex trafficking and physical abuse in a November 2023 civil lawsuit. After being lured into an "ostentatious, fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle" and romantic relationship with Combs, the singer claimed he "took control" of her life, ranging from her healthcare to her career opportunities, and plied her with drugs and alcohol. Combs also allegedly raped Ventura in 2018 and forced the singer into "repeated unwanted sexual encounters" with male prostitutes who he hired and recorded their encounters, per the lawsuit. Ventura and Combs settled the legal matter one day later. Combs has seven children. He had his first biological son, Justin Combs, 31, with fashion designer and stylist Misa Hylton. The rapper shared four children with longtime girlfriend Porter, including Porter's son Quincy Brown, 33, whom she had with R&B singer-songwriter Al B. Sure! The couple's other children include son Christian "King" Combs, 27, and twin daughters D'Lila and Jessie Combs, 18. Combs has two other daughters: 18-year-old Chance Combs, whom he shares with businesswoman Sarah Chapman, and 2-year-old Love from his relationship with model and cybersecurity specialist Dana Tran. On March 25, 2024, Homeland Security Investigations agents raided Combs' Los Angeles home. Agents also searched Combs' Miami residence at that time, Rolling Stone, NBC News and The Associated Press reported. A Homeland Security Investigations spokesperson later told USA TODAY that the agency's New York branch "executed law enforcement actions as part of an ongoing investigation." Authorities have since confirmed the searches were part of a state sex trafficking investigation. Just three months before the kickoff of Combs' trial, attorney Anthony Ricco withdrew from the rapper's legal team on Feb. 21. Ricco declined to offer the specific details that led to the decision, but he said in a statement: "Although I have provided Sean Combs with the high level of legal representation expected by the court, under no circumstances can I continue to effectively serve as counsel for Sean Combs." Despite Ricco's resignation, Combs' defense received a boost on April 17 when Georgia-based attorney Brian Steel joined the case, according to court documents obtained by USA TODAY. Steel previously represented rap star Young Thug during his RICO trial. During a September 2024 press conference, U.S. attorney Damian Williams detailed the paraphernalia discovered during the federal raids of Combs' homes. The items included multiple AR-15 guns, large-capacity magazines, "evidence" of Combs' alleged sex crimes and over 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. According to Combs' original indictment, the baby oil bottles were used during the hip-hop mogul's alleged "freak off" parties, which were described as "elaborate and produced sex performances" that involved sex workers. Combs and his employees conducted freak offs by booking hotel rooms and stocking them with supplies such as baby oil, lube, extra bedsheets and lighting, per the indictment. The rapper allegedly "arranged, directed" and "masturbated" during these sometimes dayslong "performances," and drugs were reportedly distributed to victims, in part, to keep them "obedient and compliant." Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Anna Kaufman, Taijuan Moorman, Cydney Henderson and KiMi Robinson, USA TODAY This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who is Diddy? What to know about hip-hop mogul facing sex crimes trial
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Sean ‘Diddy' Combs: The ups and downs of a ‘bad boy' turned businessman
Sean 'Diddy' Combs once traced his success back to a pair of shoes. One day, when he was a child, he asked his mother for a new pair of sneakers, but she couldn't afford them. He recalled in a 2016 CNN interview that his mother almost began to cry upon hearing his request. That day, he said, 'my hustle was born.' The man who famously once sang about being a 'bad boy for life' had it pretty good for a long time, thanks to that hustle and his entrepreneurial successes. Buying new shoes may not be a problem anymore but he has bigger ones — especially lately. This week, authorities conducted searches on two of Combs' homes as part of a federal investigation carried out by a Department of Homeland Security team that handles human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. The probe reportedly stems from many of the same sexual assault allegations put forth in some civil lawsuits against him, according to a different law enforcement source familiar with the searches conducted on Combs' homes. Combs has been accused of sexual misconduct in five separate lawsuits filed in recent months – allegations he has repeatedly denied. It is unclear which allegations are included in the federal investigation. Throughout his career, the tides have changed for Combs about as often as he's changed his name. With his legacy in question, this particular chapter of the story of Sean 'Diddy' Combs is currently punctuated more by an ellipsis than a period. But if he manages to rebuild a once towering professional empire in the aftermath of his present legal troubles, Combs' image may one day be more synonymous with miracle worker than hitmaker. Before the world knew him as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Puffy, Diddy and Love, Combs was building a career for himself and, most notably, as a producer for other artists, like Christopher Wallace, who was better known as Notorious B.I.G. Combs signed Wallace to his label Bad Boy Records in 1993, going on to produce with the young talent hit records like 'Big Poppa,' 'Hypnotize' and 'One More Chance' until 24-year-old Wallace's murder in March 1997. Months later, Combs, then only 27 himself, released his debut album, 'No Way Out.' It included a tribute song to Wallace that remains one of Combs' most memorable songs. 'I'll Be Missing You,' which sampled the The Police's 1983 hit 'Every Breath You Take,' was a massive hit for Combs and recording artist Faith Evans. 'I think I'll always feel some sort of responsibility because I'm in this thing with him,' Combs told Wendy Williams of Wallace's murder during an episode of her show in 2017. 'He's my artist.' 'I'll Be Missing You' was the first rap song to debut as No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to win a Grammy. His success continued with albums such as 1999's 'Forever' and 'The Saga Continues…' which was released in 2001. That same year, Combs was found not guilty of charges relating to a shooting incident outside a Manhattan night club in 1999, following a high-profile trial. After the verdict, Combs told reporters that he would speak more on the matter at a later time, 'but right now, I just want to go and be with my kids.' He had two children at the time, but Combs is now a father of seven. His first child, Justin, was born to Combs' former girlfriend, stylist Misa Hylton, in 1993. Combs' long time, off and on relationship with model and actress Kim Porter resulted in the birth of son Christian in 1998. Twin daughters Jessie James and D'Lila Star followed in 2006. Combs adopted Porter's son, Quincy, from a previous relationship. He also fathered daughters, Chance, with internet personality Sarah Chapman in 2006, and, Love, with cybersecurity professional Dana Tran in 2022. In the world of business, Combs kept himself busy with ventures both during and after he peaked in the music world. Between his Sean Jean clothing line, his lucrative deal with Ciroc Vodka, his Revolt Media film and TV projects and his record label — among other ventures — Combs proved that 'All About the Benjamins' wasn't just a phrase in a song, it was a code he lived by. Those once burgeoning brands and businesses, however, are not what they once were. Founded in 1998, his Sean Jean clothing line once had annual retail sales of around $450 million by 2016, when Combs sold a majority stake to Global Brands Group, according to Women's Wear Daily. Combs won a bidding war to buy the brand back in 2021 after Global Brands Group went bankrupt. 'I launched Sean John in 1998 with the goal of building a premium brand that shattered tradition and introduced hip-hop to high fashion on a global scale,' Combs said at the time in a statement to Billboard. 'Seeing how streetwear has evolved to rewrite the rules of fashion and impact culture across categories, I'm ready to reclaim ownership of the brand, build a team of visionary designers and global partners to write the next chapter of Sean John's legacy.' There was drama with some of his other business ventures. In May 2023, he filed suit against Diageo PLC, his partner in the Ciroc vodka and DeLeón tequila businesses, alleging discrimination and that the company was limiting the reach of his brands by marketing them as 'urban.' That suit was resolved in January 2024. 'Sean Combs and Diageo have now agreed to resolve all disputes between them. Mr. Combs has withdrawn all of his allegations about Diageo and will voluntarily dismiss his lawsuits against Diageo with prejudice,' both parties said in a statement. 'Diageo and Mr. Combs have no ongoing business relationship, either with respect to Cîroc vodka or DeLeón tequila, which Diageo now solely owns.' His Bad Boy Entertainment label is still operating. The hip-hop mogul was also known for the media company Revolt. In November of 2023, the company announced Combs had temporarily stepped down as chairman after being hit with a suit by former longterm girlfriend Cassie Ventura, in which she alleged that she had been raped and repeatedly abused by Combs during their more than decade long relationship. Combs denied the allegations and the suit has been settled. The settlement was followed by four other civil suits filed in the past four months. The cases returned to the spotlight this week when authorities swarmed homes owned by Combs in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal investigation carried out by a Department of Homeland Security team that handles human trafficking crimes, according to a senior federal law enforcement official briefed on the investigation. 'There was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs' residences,' Aaron Dyer, Combs's attorney, said in a statement to CNN on Tuesday. 'There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities.' Dyer added, 'There has been no finding of criminal or civil liability with any of these allegations. Mr. Combs is innocent and will continue to fight every single day to clear his name.' Several artists long associated with him have yet to comment about Combs' legal issues publicly. CNN has reached out to some of his former collaborators, including Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, MGK and Janelle Monáe, for comment. Combs and his twin teenage daughters were preparing to leave Miami for a planned spring break trip on Monday when the searches happened, a source close to Diddy and with direct knowledge of the situation told CNN. He was briefly stopped by law enforcement and subsequently released The source would not reveal Combs' vacation destination or current whereabouts. CNN's John Miller, Elizabeth Wolfe, Eric Levenson, Denise Royal, Elizabeth Wagmeister and Carlos Suarez contributed to this report
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Usher, Ne-Yo Were Present When Diddy Punched Cassie At Party, Dawn Richard Testifies
While on the witness stand Monday (May 19) in Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial, Dawn Richard testified that the Bad Boy founder allegedly punched his artist and girlfriend at the time, Casandra 'Cassie' Ventura, while attending a star-studded dinner party in 2010. The Diddy-Dirty Money singer claims the incident took place in a restaurant where Combs and Ventura were 'quietly' arguing when Combs allegedly punched her in the stomach, causing her to double over in pain. 'She immediately bent over, he [Combs] told her to leave,' Richard testified. 'No one intervened.' Usher, Ne-Yo, record exec Jimmy Iovine and 'other celebrities' were allegedly present in the restaurant, but Richard did not testify that they directly witnessed the alleged moment of abuse. Richard added that she rode home with the couple and witnessed Cassie be assaulted again for saying Combs 'embarrassed' her. 'He grabbed her by the neck and popped her, slapped her in the mouth,' Richard testified, adding that Combs then said to Ventura, 'Shut the f**k up.' 'He would tell her he owned her,' Richard added. 'I told her he should leave. Cass looked torn. She would listen, but I could see the fear.' Richard previously recalled the evening in question in her September 2024 lawsuit against the No Way Out artist. 'In front of dinner guests, Mr. Combs hissed at Ms. Ventura in a screaming whisper and forcefully punched her in the stomach causing her to double over in visible pain, crying,' the lawsuit reads. 'Ms Clark escorted Ms. Ventura out of the restaurant and Mr. Combs remained and continued socializing with dinner guests.' Diddy's attorney Erica Wolff addressed Richard's lawsuit at the time, telling VIBE in a statement, 'Mr. Combs is shocked and disappointed by this lawsuit. In an attempt to rewrite history, Dawn Richard has now manufactured a series of false claims all in the hopes of trying to get a pay day — conveniently timed to coincide with her album release and press tour.' It continues, 'If Ms. Richard had such a negative experience with Making the Band and Danity Kane, she would not have chosen to continue working directly with Mr. Combs for Dirty Money, nor would she have returned for the Making the Band reboot in 2020 or agreed to be featured on The Love Album last year. It's unfortunate that Ms. Richard has cast their 20-year friendship aside to try and get money from him, but Mr. Combs is confidently standing on truth and looks forward to proving that in court.' More from Dawn Richard Claims Diddy Warned That "People Go Missing" For Going Against Him Misa Hylton Reacts To Backlash For Appearing At Diddy Trial: "I'm A Mother First" Cassie's Husband, Alex Fine, Calls Sean "Diddy" Combs A "Demon"
Pink Villa
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
Vedan's Palakkad concert ends in chaos as stampede leaves 15 injured; here's what happened
Rapper Vedan is one of the most popular artists in South India, especially in Kerala. Recently, his concert was held at Palakkad Kotta Maithanam on Sunday and a massive crowd turned up for the event. According to a Mathrubhumi report, the situation at the venue spiraled out of control due to the overwhelming turnout, and the police had to resort to a lathi charge. According to the report, organizers were forced to shut the venue entry by 6 PM due to overcrowding. However, a stampede occurred soon after, leaving several people injured. Those affected were quickly taken to the district hospital for treatment. The situation worsened when a scuffle broke out between the police and event organizers. Tensions flared as officials struggled to manage the crowd. Authorities sealed all gates and rerouted traffic to ease congestion around the venue. The event was scheduled for the evening of May 18, but the massive turnout exceeded all expectations. Earlier that day, Vedan had made an appearance at a government function with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan. The CM welcomed the artist warmly, which reportedly contributed to the spike in interest for Vedan's concert later that evening. As the crowd swelled, many attendees near the stage complained of dizziness and breathlessness. Medical teams were stationed at the site, and although there were injuries, no major casualties were reported. According to a report by Kerala Kaumudi, nearly 15 people were injured during a stampede-like situation at Vedan's concert. Hirandas Murali, better known as Vedan, is a rapper and lyricist from Kerala's Thrissur district. He gained recognition in June 2020 after releasing his debut music video, Voice of the Voiceless, on YouTube, which quickly went viral. His next release was Bhoomi Njan Vazhunidam. Last year, he did a promo song for Manjummel Boys. Vedan also lent his voice to Maranathin Niram in No Way Out. His 2024 work includes Kondal Vedan Song and Kisses in the Clouds. The rapper also featured in KSHMR's album KARAM and released singles like Budhanayi Pira, Vaa, and Social Criminal.
Daily Mirror
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Justin Bieber breaks silence on Diddy allegations amid sex trafficking trial
Chatter linked Justin Bieber to the explosive Sean Combs - P Diddy - trial, held as the rapper is accused of a string of depraved crimes, including racketeering conspiracy Troubled singer Justin Bieber has insisted he was not targeted by rapper P Diddy. Bieber, whose had four UK number ones, said widespread fears shared by fans he was a victim of the music mogul "detracts [focus] from the justice these victims rightfully deserve" in a statement released on Thursday. It came in response to speculation the singer, 31, may have been abused by Diddy during his early years in the music industry - although this is not an allegation for which the rapper stands trial. A video of the pair resurfaced last year and was described by some Bieber fans as "disturbing". It showed Combs and Bieber, who was a minor at the time, hanging out for "48 hours". The pair also worked together on Diddy's album The Love Album: Off the Grid, released in September 2023. But the spokesperson for Bieber said in a statement, published by TMZ, reads: "Although Justin is not among Sean Combs' victims, there are individuals who were genuinely harmed by him. Shifting focus away from this reality detracts from the justice these victims rightfully deserve." Sources also informed TMZ on Thursday the Coming Home rapper never abused Bieber in any way. The insiders stated the interactions in the video were simply "performative" - and explained Bieber was closer to the rapper's sons rather than Combs, who is 24 years his senior. Combs, who has won three Grammy Awards, was last year arrested in the state of New York on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, which he has denied. Bieber was reportedly "so disturbed by the Diddy news". A source told Mail Online at the time: "Bieber is so disturbed by the Diddy news and is unwilling to process it or discuss it so he has shut off... So many people who helped to make him who he is were very close to Diddy and it has completely thrown him. Justin hasn't been responding on this since the home raids. He's not going to. He was featured on Diddy's most recent album, and had he known any of this, there is no way he would have done it." The arrest came just one year after The Love Album: Off the Grid was released. It quickly became Diddy's fifth top ten on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. But now the 55-year-old star stands trial in New York City, accused of a number of charges, including racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion and transportation to engage in prostitution. The father of seven denies each of these. Proceedings on Thursday heard P Diddy, whose debut album No Way Out sold more than seven million copies in the US alone, allegedly threatened Cassie Ventura during their 11-year relationship.
