sean combs
Page: 4
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: MEGA / Getty / Diddy
Diddy continues to lose out on multiple bags due to the sexual assault lawsuits levied against him.
Spotted on Variety, a reality show in early production following the embattled music mogul and his family, has been scrapped by Hulu.
The website reports that the show was being developed with the working title Diddy+7 and James Corden’s production company, Fulwell 73, producing.
The scrapped reality show is the latest blow to the Diddy, born Sean Combs’ crumbling empire following the multiple sexual assault lawsuits that came after his ex-girlfriend, singer/actor/model Cassie Ventura alleged that 54-year-old raped and beat her for over a decade.
Combs denied any wrongdoing and would eventually settle with Cassie one day later, but that was not the end of his problems.
Cassie Broke The Damn
A week later, the hits kept coming when Joi Dickerson-Neal said that she was “drugged, sexually assaulted and abused” by Diddy and the victim of “revenge porn” that was created and distributed by the rapper.
A third lawsuit from a woman calling herself Jane Doe came alleging that Diddy and R&B singer and former member of Guy Aaron Hall “took turns raping her and her friends” and Hall’s apartment sometime between 1990 and 1991.
In another lawsuit, another Jane Doe said Combs, Bad Boy Entertainment president Harve Pierre, and a third man raped her when she was 17.
Diddy finally decided to break his silence on December 6 with a statement shared on Instagram and it read:
“ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. For the last couple of weeks, I have sat silently and watched people try to assassinate my character, destroy my reputation and my legacy. Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
Welp.
—
Photo: MEGA / Getty
Hulu has scrapped a reality show that was to follow Sean “Diddy” Combs and his family, according to a new report in Rolling Stone. Though it’s not clear when Hulu stopped making the show, the report comes after multiple allegations of sexual assault and abuse were lodged against the rapper and entrepreneur over the past month.
The project, which reportedly had a working title of Diddy+7, was being produced for Hulu by James Corden‘s production company, Fulwell 73, which also works on The Kardashians. A source with knowledge of the situation tells Billboard the show was in its nascent stages and is not currently in production.
Combs has been sued for sexual assault by a total of four women, including his longtime romantic partner, R&B singer Cassie, who accused him of rape and physical abuse, among other allegations. Though that case settled the day after it was filed, Combs was subsequently sued by three more women, all Jane Does, who say the hip-hop mogul sexually assaulted them. In the most recent case filed, the woman says she was “sex trafficked” and “gang raped” by Combs, former Bad Boy Records president Harve Pierre and another man in 2003 when she was 17. A separate case over that alleged incident was filed against Pierre and Bad Boy alleging sexual assault.
Combs has strongly denied all of the allegations; on Dec. 6, he released a public statement that said in part: “Sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday. Let me be absolutely clear: I did not do any of the awful things being alleged. I will fight for my name, my family and for the truth.”
In the aftermath of the allegations, Combs stepped down from his role as chairman at Black music TV company REVOLT on Nov. 28. The company simultaneously released a statement saying that while Combs “had previously no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps ensure that REVOLT remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people throughout this country and the African diaspora.”
According to Rolling Stone, a total of 23 brands have severed ties with Combs’ e-commerce marketplace Empower Global, which officially launched in July, since the allegations came out. The outlet also reports that in the wake of the lawsuits, liquor company Diageo — with which Combs has been embroiled in a bitter legal battle over his DeLeon Tequila brand for months — filed a request asking a judge to deny Combs’ request to control a $15 million marketing budget for DeLeon, which would entail his image appearing in new ads for the spirit.
Combs released a new album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, in September via his Love Records imprint.
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual violence and need support and/or resources, reach out to RAINN and the National Sexual Assault Hotline (800-656-HOPE) for free, confidential help 24/7.
HipHopWired Featured Video
Business mogul and entertainer Sean Combs, widely known as Diddy, is facing a mountain of a lawsuit connected to alleged abuse and other accusations. A report went wide that the Bad Boy honcho was under criminal investigation but the NYPD shot down those claims.
TMZ initially reported that Diddy was the target of an investigation, which came on the heels of the mogul facing a lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who claims that Combs allegedly raped her and engaged in human trafficking among other charges. It was reported as a “locked” investigation involving Sean Combs but it appears that was not the case.
The outlet returned to the report with an update that can be read in full below:
The full NYPD statement reads … “Yesterday, a member of the NYPD’s public information office erroneously told a reporter about the apparent existence of an active case file containing the name ‘Sean Combs.’ There is no such investigation, at present. Further, the release of such information is not consistent with the internal policies of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Public Information. The NYPD always treats allegations of sexual assault and rape extremely seriously, and urges anyone who has been a victim to file a police report so that support and services can be offered to survivors and a comprehensive investigation can be conducted.”
Ventura filed her lawsuit in New York at the federal court level. A statement from Combs has yet to surface.
—
Photo:
HipHopWired Featured Video
Diageo, one of the world leaders in the adult beverages space, found itself locked into a legal battle with Sean “Diddy” Combs regarding business dealings connected to vodka and tequila brands. According to a new report, activity connected to the lawsuit filed by Combs will be moved to next year as both sides continue to state their respective claims.
As seen on Digital Music News, Diageo, which owns popular brands Johnnie Walker, Guinness, and Casamigos, was granted a stay this past Tuesday (November 14) by a panel of judges overseeing the matter. In his lawsuit, Diddy is alleging that the beverage company gave less attention to his Cîroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila brands because of his race.
According to Combs’ legal team, their side believes the granted stay is a tactic to delay facing up to the allegations in a court of law.
“Once the appellate court considers the actual merits, we are confident that they will reach the same conclusion as two separate judges already: that Diageo can’t avoid a public trial,” Diddy’s attorney, John Hurston, said in a statement.
The lawsuit was first enacted in May of this year with Combs stating that Diageo did not commit to its plans for diversity and inclusion and putting the brands that he helmed on the back burner because he’s Black.
In response to Combs’ claims, a spokesperson for the company wrote, “This is a business dispute, and we are saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as anything other than that. Our steadfast commitment to diversity within our company and the communities we serve is something we take very seriously. We categorically deny the allegations that have been made and will vigorously defend ourselves in the appropriate forum.”
The company severed ties with Combs after filing its own countersuit which Diddy hit back with again with another lawsuit alleging that the countersuit from Diageo was “illegal retaliation.”
Combs owns and operates Combs Global, which oversees the mogul’s business interests including his wine and spirits portfolio.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Featured Video
Diddy has long been the target of criticism over holding the publishing rights who recorded and released music under his Bad Boy music imprint. According to a new report, Diddy will hand back the music publishing rights to a number of artists and other collaborators.
Variety gained exclusive intel from a source that says Diddy, real name Sean Combs, will give back the music publishing rights to the estate of The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e, and more.
Per the source, Diddy has “decided to reassign his Bad Boy publishing rights back to all Bad Boy artists and writers who helped build Bad Boy into the powerhouse it is today.”
While the full details of the shift in rights are not known, other acts include the likes of The LOX, 112, and a host of others that could be assumed to be songwriters, producers, and engineers.
The outlet added that the speculative worth of the rights could total up to hundreds of millions of dollars. The outlet’s source also adds that Diddy has received a number of offers for the publishing rights but instead shifted course and placed them back into the hands of the original creators.
Last week, we posted a story that Cam’Ron, who now works with Ma$e on a sports podcast, shared the news of his co-host signing paperwork regarding the transfer of his music publishing rights back.
—
Photo: Getty
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Paras Griffin / Getty / Diddy
Diddy is putting his money where his mouth is and is giving back to HBCUs.
The man who once rapped, “Don’t worry if I write rhymes, I write checks,” did just that over the weekend at this year’s Invest Fest in Atlanta for causes he cares deeply about HBCUs and financial literacy.
Spotted on PEOPLE, the 56-year-old mogul announced his $1 million investment fund in partnership with Earn Your Leisure with its founders Rashad Bilal and Troy Millings on hand to receive the financial blessing from the “Bad Boy for Life” crafter.
Per PEOPLE:
The fund will go toward financial literacy efforts, “[putting] the investment strategies discussed on EYL into action” and “providing a practical model for economic empowerment,” according to a press release from Diddy’s investment portfolio, Combs Global.
“I’m thrilled to join forces with Earn Your Leisure,” Combs said in the release. “We’re going beyond discussing finances and taking action to demystify the world of investing for our community.”
During his speech at Invest Fest on Friday, Diddy announced that the fund would benefit his three Capital Preparatory charter schools in New York and Connecticut.
Diddy Also Blessed Jackson State University
Diddy’s charitable efforts didn’t stop there.
He headed to Georgia State’s Center Parc Stadium for a South Carolina State versus Jackson State University football game to hand-deliver a $1 million check to Jackson State University’s football team.
Per a press release, like his donation to the EYL, it will be “geared towards fostering economic empowerment and upholding the legacies of historically Black institutions,” PEOPLE reports.
Combs, a Howard University graduate, shared a video of a moment, writing in the post’s caption, “I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for HBCUs. It is my honor and my responsibility to support the HBCUs! The work they are doing is to be commended! My grandmother raised me to sow my seed in my community and that’s what I’m going to continue to do!!”
Diddy’s latest philanthropic efforts follow his 2022 BET Lifetime Achievement Award speech, where he noted it was his “responsibility” to give back to HBCUs.
Salute to Brother Love, aka Diddy.
Photo: Paras Griffin / Getty
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
HipHopWired Featured Video
Source: Variety / Getty / Diddy
Diddy is putting his money where his mouth is and is helping Black-owned businesses get the shine they deserve.
Spotted on HuffPost via the AP, Sean “Diddy” Combs is on a mission to strengthen the Black dollar by taking the lead on a new online marketplace called Empower Global that will specifically shine a spotlight on Black-owned businesses.
Speaking with the Associated Press, the mogul said, “I want to create our own Black Wall Street,” hoping to recapture the same energy from the Greenwood community from Tulsa, Oklahoma, which was the home of the Black-owned business district that saw substantial wealth being created among its Black residents before devastating two-day attacking from a mob of hating white men.
Combs invested $20 million into the online marketplace, allowing users to find and buy products like clothing, shoes, beauty accessories, skincare products, fragrances, and art made by Black-owned brands. However, he says he is not looking to benefit from it financially.
The website, designed by two Black-owned companies, TechSparq and ChatDesk, will launch with 70 brands and introduce users to Black businesses monthly, with Combs hoping to feature 200 brands by the end of the year.
“This is about building our own infrastructure and ecosystem. I’m not doing this for profit. This is about us,” Combs told the Associated Press.
Diddy Is Excited About Empower Global
He further expressed his excitement for Empower Global, noting that he was more excited about launching the platform than starting his label, Bad Boy Records.
“I’m going into these areas to diversify things and fight for our inclusion. This is a platform about sharing power and empowering each other,” Combs said. “This is something that is for my people. It’s a tipping point for us to wake up, start paying attention, and supporting each other while taking responsibility and accountability.”
He adds, “It benefits the community to empower and take care of itself. Right now, our dollar in the Black community doesn’t even last an hour. Most other communities and ethnic groups, they understand the power of unity. Their dollars stay in their communities for days and get passed on to other people that are like them and from their same community.”
Diddy Is Currently Embroiled In Some Business Drama
While helping his people out, Diddy has some business drama with his alcohol brands, Ciroc and DeLeón Tequila.
Spirits giant Diageo cut ties with him after he alleged the company was using racist practices and was falling short when promoting his brands,
Diddy slapped Diageo with a lawsuit with the New York Supreme Court.
Still, salute to Diddy for launching Empower Global. It’s an essential tool to help Black-owned brands and businesses grow.
—
Photo: Variety / Getty
HipHopWired Radio
Our staff has picked their favorite stations, take a listen…
Sean “Diddy” Combs is suing alcohol giant Diageo for allegedly breaching their partnership deal for a brand of tequila, leveling accusations of racism at the company and claiming it has treated his product line “worse than others because he is Black.”
In a complaint filed Wednesday (May 31) in New York court, attorneys for the star’s Combs Wines and Spirits claimed that Diageo had “typecast” his DeLeon Tequila as a “Black brand” that could only be sold to “urban” consumers, harming its sales and potential for growth.
“Cloaking itself in the language of diversity and equality is good for Diageo’s business, but it is a lie,” Combs’ lawyers wrote. “While Diageo may conspicuously include images of its Black partners in advertising materials and press releases, its words only provide the illusion of inclusion.”
Combs claims the “unequal treatment” DeLeon has received from Diageo has left his brand lagging behind competing Diageo brands like Casamigos and Don Julio — and that the company then used those lower sales figures to offer even less support for the brand.
“Combs Wines seeks to finally put an end to Diageo’s longstanding misconduct,” the star’s lawyers wrote. “Diageo must be ordered by a court to give Combs Wines the same treatment it gives its other, successful tequila brands. It is time that Diageo’s actions match its words.”
In a statement to Billboard, a Diageo spokesperson said the company was “disappointed our efforts to resolve this business dispute amicably have been ignored, and that Mr. Combs has chosen to damage a productive and valued partnership.”
“This is a business dispute, and we are saddened that Mr. Combs has chosen to recast this matter as anything other than that,” the company said. “Our steadfast commitment to diversity within our company and the communities we serve is something we take very seriously. We categorically deny the allegations that have been made and will vigorously defend ourselves in the appropriate forum.“
In technical legal terms, the lawsuit claims that Diageo has violated a specific provision of the operating agreement that governs the Combs-Diageo joint venture that owns DeLeon. It’s not entirely clear what that provision requires — much of the legal complaint is heavily redacted — but the lawsuit claims it was included in the deal to ensure equal treatment.
“Because he knows that contracts matter more than press releases, Mr. Combs insisted that Diageo agree to certain terms to ensure his brands were not ignored or relegated to second-class status,” Combs’ lawyers wrote.
Among other alleged breaches, Combs claims Diageo violated that provision by placing DeLeon in “far fewer outlets than its other tequila brands” and failing to produce enough of it to keep store shelves stocked.
But Combs’ lawyers repeatedly stressed that their case was not simply a run-of-the-mill breach of contract lawsuit: “Similar to the realities experienced by many people of color in the United States, Diageo’s treatment of its business relationship with Mr. Combs was tainted by racial prejudices.”
At one point, Combs claims he was directly told that “things would be different if he were a white, not Black, celebrity.”
“Diageo, in other words, openly admitted that it viewed Mr. Combs merely as a Black man thatmight prove useful in marketing to Black consumers,” Combs said. “Nothing more.”
Read the entire complaint against Diageo here:
Sean “Diddy” Combs has rebranded his parent company from Combs Enterprises to Combs Global as the top rapper and record producer continues to diversify his portfolio of music, fashion, drinks and TV ventures internationally.
“Combs Global represents the next chapter in my journey as a business leader and a bigger vision to build the largest portfolio of leading Black-owned brands in the world,” Combs said in a statement on Tuesday.
The Bad Boy Entertainment Group founder, who is credited with carving out a new niche within the hip-hop genre, has in recent years expanded with new businesses like Empower Global formally Shop Circulate, Our Fair Share, Love Records and cannabis distribution by acquiring Cresco Labs.
Combs with the rebrand is looking to project continued expansion, and globally. “I’ve enlisted world-class teams of top executives, specialists and strategic partners to bring this new dream to life and put us in the best position to keep making history while leading another 30 years of dominance across industries,” he said.
Combs bought back his Sean John fashion line in 2020 and also forged a partnership with Diageo for his Ciroc Vodka label and later acquired tequila brand DeLeón. He also launched the fitness and wellness water brand AQUAhydrate.
In 2013, Combs launched REVOLT Media & TV, the first Black-owned multiplatform cable music network, which now reaches more 80 million homes and 20 million monthly viewers digitally.
More recently, Combs acquired The Nile List, invested in the creator platform REC Philly and expanded his Capital Preparatory charter school network to now include campuses in the Bronx, New York and Hartford, Connecticut.
The corporate rebrand includes a new website and logo unveiled as part of a Uber One Super Bowl commercial that starred Combs as he dreamed up a hit song for Uber One.
This article originally appeared on THR.com.