Sean 'Diddy' Combs: Who Is American Rapper Accused Of Serious Sexual Crimes?

Three-time Grammy-award winner Sean 'Diddy' Combs also known as Diddy or Puff Daddy is known for founding Bad Boy Records and shaping the careers of iconic artists like Notorious BIG. Diddy has built a multi-million-dollar empire spanning stints across music, fashion and television. For decades, he was seen as a self-made entrepreneur and philanthropist. However, his legacy is now being scrutinised as he faces serious legal charges that threaten to overshadow his accomplishments.

Diddy is currently in federal custody awaiting trial on charges of racketeering and sex trafficking. His arrest last week in New York comes amid a series of civil suits alleging sexual assault and physical violence, some going back to the 1990s. As more disturbing details emerge, this explainer breaks down the charges, key events and what led to a dent in his image and that of his close associates.

Career and family

Sean 'Diddy' Combs was born on November 3, 1969, in Harlem, New York, and raised in Mount Vernon by his mother after his father died in 1972. Combs studied business administration at Howard University before dropping out in the early 1990s to pursue a career at Uptown Records. In 1990, he began as an intern at Uptown Records in New York, quickly rising to the position of talent director. However, after being fired in 1993, he founded his label, Bad Boy Records. One of his first major successes was signing Notorious BIG and releasing his debut album Ready to Die in 1994.

Diddy's debut album, No Way Out, was released in 1997 under the stage name Puff Daddy and featured hit singles like I'll Be Missing You and Mo Money Mo Problems. That same year, he was named ASCAP's Songwriter of the Year. In 1998, he won two Grammy Awards, including Best Rap Album for No Way Out. By 2001, he changed his stage name from Puff Daddy to P Diddy.

Diddy ventures beyond music

Beyond music, Diddy expanded his empire into fashion with Sean John (1998), restaurants with Justin's (1997), and vodka with Cîroc (2007). With over 100 million records sold, three Grammy wins, and 21 nominations, Diddy has become famous not only in music but also in the wider entertainment industry.

His colourful dating life has also been a popular topic among all. Diddy has seven children from different relationships. His longest relationship was with Kim Porter, whom he dated on and off from the 1990s until 2007. Together, they had three children named Christian (born 1998) and twins Jessie and D'Lila (born 2006). Diddy also adopted Quincy, Kim Porter's son from a previous relationship with Al B. 

Another son, Justin Dior, was born on 30 December 1993 to stylist and fashion designer Misa Hylton. On 10 December 2022, Diddy announced the birth of his youngest daughter, Love, with cybersecurity professional Dana Tran. Diddy was also in a relationship with Cassie Ventura from 2007 to 2018.

Cases and accusations against Diddy

With his extravagant lifestyle, Sean 'Diddy' Combs had a dark backdrop which is now uncovering with time. As per reports, the US rapper and music mogul has now faced serious allegations, including racketeering and sex trafficking. A 14-page federal indictment accuses him of running a criminal enterprise, with charges ranging from racketeering and sex trafficking to transportation for prostitution.

The long-time investigation involved raids on his homes, lawsuits, and testimonies, uncovered disturbing claims about drug-fuelled sex parties known as “freak-offs”, orchestrated by Diddy and his staff. Further reports reveal, that women and male sex workers were allegedly coerced into performing at these events, and drugs like cocaine and oxycodone were supplied to ensure compliance.

Prosecutors reportedly allege that Combs used his influence to trap victims, silencing them with threats and blackmail, supported by footage from these encounters. The indictment also includes allegations of kidnapping, forced labour, and bribery. Some victims have shared graphic accounts of violence and coercion, and witnesses claim to have seen violence at these events, which the defence disputes.

Incriminating evidence recovered from Diddy's home?

As per reports, investigators also found firearms, ammunition, and over 1,000 bottles of lubricant during raids on his homes in Miami and Los Angeles. The first to come forward was his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who filed a lawsuit in November, alleging over a decade of abuse and sex trafficking.

Since then, ten others, including one man, have made similar claims. Among them, Joi Dickerson-Neal alleged she was drugged and raped by Combs in 1991, while Liza Gardner claimed he and another artist assaulted her when she was 16. Other women have come forward under New York’s Adult Survivors Act, which temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on abuse claims. One woman, identified as Jane Doe, accused Combs and two others of gang-raping her when she was 17. Adria English, a former bold film actress who collaborated with Combs in the 2000s, also stated that he had used her as a "sexual pawn for the pleasure and financial gain of others" during the "White Parties" he hosted at his New York and Miami homes, as per reports.

As per another media report, another victim named Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith is a man who filed a civil lawsuit against Sean Diddy Combs claiming that he drugged and sexually assaulted him at a party in 1997.

Several other women, including former collaborators and workers, have also accused Combs of sexual assault and coercion.

While Sean Diddy Combs has denied the accusations, calling them a money grab, further lawsuits have emerged under New York’s Adult Survivors Act. These include allegations from women who were underage or vulnerable at the time, as well as individuals involved in his social and professional circles.

Combs' representatives have dismissed the lawsuits as baseless, with his legal team seeking to have them thrown out. Despite the ongoing legal battles, Combs has continued to deny all wrongdoing publicly.

What is the 'White' party organised by Diddy?

As per media reports, adult entertainer Adria Sheri English has filed a lawsuit against the rapper, claiming she was hired as a dancer for his extravagant "White Parties" in the early 2000s and was forced into participating in explicit activities.

She explained that these exclusive, all-white dress code parties were hosted by the rapper in the Hamptons, a wealthy New York seaside neighbourhood known for attracting the rich and famous. Celebrities, influencers, musicians and athletes regularly attended these highly sought-after events. However, English alleged that behind the glamorous façade, a darker reality existed, involving coerced sexual encounters.

English reportedly claimed that drugs and alcohol were used to lower the inhibitions of all partygoers, both willing and unwilling. She alleged that specific alcohol bottles were spiked with illicit substances and offered to women. As per AP reports, the explicit activities only began after most guests had left late at night (after-party). These acts took place in rooms guarded by security to ensure that only participants were aware of what was happening inside.

Celebrities involved in white parties

Reports claim that Diddy often hosted Hollywood's biggest stars at his white parties, including his ex-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, who was also linked to one of his shooting incidents, and Titanic actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

As per reports, The guest list for Diddy’s famous ‘White parties’ reportedly included top Hollywood names like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, Ashton Kutcher, Paris Hilton, Howard Stern, Kim Kardashian , Russell Brand, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Lopez, Russell Simmons, Usher, Megan Fox, Kelly Osbourne, Aretha Franklin, Martha Stewart, Tommy Lee, Pamela Anderson, Regis Philbin, and Vera Wang. Although many celebrities have confirmed their attendance, it remains uncertain who was involved in the rumoured "Freak Offs."

What’s the current status of the case

After his arrest on September 16 at a Manhattan hotel, Sean 'Diddy' Combs is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Centre in Brooklyn, which has also housed notable inmates like R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell. Despite his legal team offering a $50 million bond, the equity of his mother's home, and even his daughters' passports as collateral, bail has been denied twice. 

According to recent reports, Thalia Graves, the 11th accuser, alleges that Combs and his bodyguard drugged, bound, and raped her in 2001, recording the incident. More victims are expected to come forward.