LOS ANGELES (AP) — Within the first 9 months of 2023, Sean “Diddy” Combs triumphantly carried out on the MTV VMAs, launched an R&B album that garnered a Grammy nomination and was a suitor to purchase the BET community.However a number of lawsuits filed late final 12 months raised allegations of sexual assault and rape towards Combs — one among hip-hop’s most recognizable names as a performer and producer. The music mogul’s houses in Los Angeles and Miami had been searched Monday by federal brokers with Homeland Safety Investigators and different legislation enforcement. Officers stated the searches had been related to an investigation by federal authorities in New York.The officers spoke to The Related Press on circumstances of anonymity as a result of they weren’t licensed to publicly focus on particulars of the investigation. Combs’ lawyer and different representatives didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Though Diddy was embroiled in a single high-profile enterprise dispute for a part of 2023, it was a case filed by his former girlfriend and R&B singer Cassie that opened the door to different claims of sexual violence. Combs has vehemently denied the allegations.It’s not clear whether or not the search is said to any of the allegations raised within the lawsuits, which embody one from a girl who claims Combs raped her when she was 17.
AP correspondent Jackie Quinn stories on a search of producer P. Diddy’s properties in a potential felony investigation.
Listed here are some issues to learn about Combs and the investigation.WHO IS DIDDY?
Combs is among the many most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the previous three many years. He constructed one among music’s greatest empires, blazing a path with a number of entities hooked up to his well-known title. He’s the founding father of Dangerous Boy Information and a three-time Grammy winner who has labored with a slew of top-tier artists together with Infamous B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Religion Evans and 112.The music mogul created the style clothes line known as Sean John, was related to a widely known vodka model and launched Revolt TV community, which focuses on music and social justice points concentrating on African Individuals. He additionally produced the fact present “Making the Band” for MTV.
In 2022, BET honored Combs with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his skill to form tradition by way of his profession.Combs gained Grammys for his platinum-selling 1997 album “No Means Out” and the one “I’ll Be Lacking You,” a music devoted to the late Infamous B.I.G. who was killed earlier that 12 months. He gained one other Grammy for “Shake Ya Tailfeather” with Nelly and Murphy Lee.Final 12 months, Combs launched his fifth studio album “The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which was nominated for finest progressive R&B album at February’s Grammy Awards, which he didn’t attend. The album was his first solo venture since his 2006 chart-topping “Press Play,” which had two prime 10 hit singles: “Final Night time” with Keyshia Cole and “Come to Me” that includes Nicole Scherzinger.In 2004, Combs performed Walter Lee Youthful within the Broadway revival of “A Raisin within the Solar,” which aired as a tv adaption 4 years later. He’s additionally appeared in movies together with “Get Him to the Greek” and “Monster’s Ball.”
WHAT SPARKED THE LAWSUITS?In November, Combs’ protege and singer Cassie sued him for alleging years of sexual abuse together with rape. The lawsuit alleged he compelled her to have intercourse with male prostitutes whereas he filmed them. Combs and Ventura started relationship in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for greater than a decade.The go well with was settled the day after it was filed, however the lawsuits towards Combs stored coming.Combs had stated in a December assertion, “I didn’t do any of the terrible issues being alleged.”In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have intercourse with them. Combs’ lawyer Shawn Holley has stated of these allegations that “we now have overwhelming, indeniable proof that his claims are full lies.”One other of Combs’ accusers was a girl who stated the rap producer raped her 20 years in the past when she was 17.The filings element acts of sexual assault, beatings and compelled drugging allegedly dedicated within the early Nineties by Combs, then a expertise director, celebration promoter and rising determine in New York Metropolis’s hip-hop group.
ANY REPERCUSSIONS FROM THE LAWSUITS?Final 12 months, Combs stepped down as chairman of his cable tv community Revolt amid the sexual abuse allegations towards him. Revolt introduced Combs’ choice by way of social media. It’s not clear if he’ll ever return to the media firm — which stated Combs beforehand had “no operational or day-to-day position” on the community.“This choice helps to make sure that Revolt stays steadfastly targeted on our mission to create significant content material for the tradition and amplify the voices of all Black folks all through this nation and African diaspora,” the community stated. The community had been making ready to have a good time its tenth anniversary.Combs additionally created a web-based market known as Empower International that featured Black-owned manufacturers. The web site for the curated market remains to be lively, however reveals no merchandise being offered.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH DIAGEO?Earlier this 12 months, Combs withdrew the lawsuit filed final 12 months towards Diageo as a part of a settlement with the London-based spirits large. Combs stated the corporate didn’t make promised investments in Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila — two manufacturers Combs promoted up to now — and handled them as inferior “city” merchandise. He additionally accused Diageo of racism.In courtroom filings, Combs stated Diageo management informed him race was one of many causes it restricted distribution to “city” neighborhoods. Combs stated he was additionally informed some Diageo leaders resented him for making an excessive amount of cash.In authorized filings, Diageo accused Combs of resorting to “false and reckless” allegations “in an effort to extract extra billions” from the corporate.Combs’ repute took a critical hit after the lawsuit was filed. Diageo turned the only proprietor of Ciroc and DeLeon after the lawsuit was withdrawn.