The rapper and producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, better known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, or simply Diddy, is facing a growing avalanche of accusations that intensifies day by day. Already indicted for trafficking for sexual exploitation, he is now accused by 120 new victims, including several minors, according to American lawyers. These new allegations, announced during a press conference on Tuesday, could have dramatic consequences for the hip-hop icon, who is currently in pretrial detention in New York awaiting his trial.
A Detention That Sparks Reactions
At 54 years old, Sean Combs has been in detention since his arrest in September, following a complaint filed by his former partner, singer Cassie Ventura, known professionally as Cassie. This complaint, filed in November 2023, triggered a series of investigations, particularly into the alleged use of his influence in the music industry to lure and manipulate victims. Cassie accuses Diddy of multiple physical, sexual, and emotional assaults during their ten-year relationship, which ended in 2018. This case has drawn public attention and encouraged other victims to come forward.
Following Combs’ arrest, his legal team set up a hotline to collect testimonies from potential victims or witnesses. According to attorney Tony Buzbee, “the wall of silence has been broken.” More than 3,285 people have contacted the hotline, claiming to be victims or witnesses of assaults committed by Diddy. Among these reports, 120 victims have been formally identified, including 25 minors at the time of the incidents. But the investigations continue, and “over 100 other cases” are still under review, according to attorney Andrew Van Arsdale, who specializes in defending victims of sexual violence.
A Well-Practiced Modus Operandi
The accusations against Diddy reveal a systematic exploitation pattern, where victims are often drugged before being assaulted. “In 90% of cases, these individuals are drugged,” Tony Buzbee explained during the press conference. The parties organized by the rapper, often lavish and attracting big names from the music and media scenes, provided an opportunity for him to trap his victims. If someone refused to drink a beverage offered to them, they were expelled from the party. “If you refuse to drink, you’re shown the door,” Buzbee said, quoting a presumed victim.
The alleged victims, who began to come forward after Cassie’s complaint, claim that Sean Combs used his power and influence to commit his abuses. Some of the victims, minors at the time, testify to extreme acts of abuse. A nine-year-old boy auditioning for Diddy’s famous label, Bad Boy Records, was sexually abused in exchange for promises of a recording contract. According to the lawyers, several other people present in the studio also participated in the assault.
Another case involves a 15-year-old girl at the time, who claims she was drugged and raped at a party organized by the artist. After being assaulted by Diddy, others present also took turns abusing her.
A Chain Reaction
These revelations are not limited to Sean Combs alone. Lawyers believe these accusations could implicate other powerful figures in the music and business industries. “I expect that through this process, many powerful people and many secrets will be exposed,” said Tony Buzbee, adding that this scandal could shake some of the most influential structures in American show business.
One of the major concerns in this case is the involvement of minors, further complicating and intensifying the already sensitive and complex legal situation. Lawyers are calling for more potential victims to come forward, estimating that the total number of victims could significantly increase in the coming months.
A Downfall for a Hip-Hop Icon
For decades, Sean Combs was an iconic figure in hip-hop, music production, and the business world. He helped launch the careers of numerous artists from the New York music scene, including The Notorious B.I.G., and amassed a considerable fortune through ventures in fashion, alcoholic beverages, and media. However, this steep fall tarnishes a legacy that once seemed unshakable.
Diddy’s arrest comes at a time when several prominent figures in entertainment and politics are facing accusations of sexual abuse and predatory behavior, following the #MeToo movement. The accumulating testimonies surrounding the former hip-hop mogul could not only seal his legal fate but also send shockwaves through the music industry.
The Next Steps
As the investigation continues, federal authorities in Manhattan are preparing a comprehensive case against Sean Combs. The next step will be the formal presentation of charges in court, and it remains to be seen whether other figures will be implicated in the scandal. For Diddy, once nicknamed “the emperor of hip-hop,” the legal battle is just beginning.