Former music executive Daniel Evans vividly recalls the chilling threat made by his ex-boss, Sean “Diddy” Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, back in 1997 at the New York headquarters of Combs’s thriving music label, Bad Boy Records. Evans remembers Combs’s ominous words, claiming he had amassed enough wealth to hire someone to eliminate a person without a trace. The power and riches seemed to be consuming Combs, as his behavior became more volatile. Despite his success with platinum-selling artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Combs’s empire was soon expanding into other ventures such as fashion, alcohol, and a TV network.
Fast forward to the present day, and Combs finds himself entangled in a web of legal troubles, including allegations of sex trafficking, racketeering, and numerous lawsuits accusing him of drugging and assaulting individuals at extravagant gatherings. Combs vehemently denies all the accusations, as he awaits trial while sitting in jail.
The BBC interviewed over 20 individuals who had worked with Combs at Bad Boy Records during the 1990s, revealing disturbing incidents witnessed during the label’s rise to fame. Former executives, assistants, and producers disclosed troubling encounters, including instances of sexual activity in the studio and the alleged misuse of corporate funds to facilitate sexual encounters.
Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing numerous alleged victims, highlighted a pattern of escalating misconduct dating back to the 90s. One client claimed Combs sexually assaulted her at a promotional event in 1995 and then threatened her into silence. Combs’s legal team refuted these claims, dismissing them as fabricated and emphasizing their confidence in the judicial process to reveal the truth.
From his humble beginnings as a talent scout to the meteoric rise of Bad Boy Records, Sean Combs had swiftly ascended to millionaire status, driven by ambition and determination. However, the shadows of his past are now casting a dark cloud over his legacy, as the allegations against him continue to unfold.
At times, Combs would slam his hands against the desk like a petulant child and shout if things didn’t go his way. After being let go from Uptown, he founded Bad Boy Records at the young age of 23.
Described as the “Great Gatsby,” Combs quickly gained a reputation for throwing extravagant celebrity parties in New York nightclubs, Cancun beaches, and the Hamptons at his famous “White Parties.” Even Donald Trump attended events in the 90s and once proclaimed himself the “real King of New York” while seated on a golden throne at Combs’s 30th birthday bash.
Daniel Evans, a former senior executive at Bad Boy Records, recalls Combs as the hardest working individual he had ever met, always pushing others to match his energy. However, looking back, Evans is troubled by some of the behaviors he witnessed from Combs and the overall company culture.
One incident that stood out to Evans was walking in on Combs engaging in sexual activity with a young woman at Daddy’s House, the recording studio near Times Square. Despite feeling uneasy about the situation, Evans didn’t think much of it at the time.
Felicia Newsome, who managed Daddy’s House during that period, acknowledges that inappropriate behavior in the music industry was common back then. She recounts an incident where Combs requested condoms from a staff member while in his underwear with two women at the studio.
Newsome, in her 30s at the time, found Combs receptive to feedback and willing to adjust his behavior when confronted. She once demanded a public apology from him after he called her a derogatory term in front of staff, emphasizing the need for a respectful and safe environment at the studio.
While Newsome maintained a strict approach in managing the studio, she notes that other staff members were less inclined to challenge Combs. The culture at Bad Boy Records during that era was described as tumultuous and unpredictable.
A former employee recalls a time at the record label where many young individuals were eager to get close to the King’s robes. The label was overseen by executives in their twenties and a significant number of interns, some of whom were still in school. Former staff members mention instances of inappropriate relationships between employees and interns, with one recalling an uncomfortable encounter with a 14-year-old team member who made advances towards them.
There were reports of employees and artists at the label requesting women to be flown in for sexual purposes at the studio. The former executive in charge of budgets reveals that funds were allocated for such arrangements, with expenses amounting to thousands of dollars categorized as travel costs.
Additionally, it is mentioned that Combs would have his personal assistants handle requests for women he was involved with to be brought in and accommodated at hotels. The studio culture evolved into one characterized by excess, with parties featuring numerous individuals and demands for specific items such as Ciroc vodka and even bringing a monkey to a session.
The studio later became the setting for disturbing allegations of sexual assault and rape against Combs. Despite his lawyers asserting his innocence and dismissing the claims as baseless, numerous former staff members find it challenging to reconcile these allegations with their experiences working with him.
One former associate expressed initial doubt about the claims until witnessing footage of Combs physically assaulting his ex-partner Casandra Ventura in a hotel. Ventura was the first to file a lawsuit against Combs, accusing him of subjecting her to abuse, violence, and exploitation during their relationship. Combs settled the lawsuit the following day for an undisclosed sum.
These revelations have left many former employees grappling with a sense of disbelief, as the allegations starkly contrast with the image of Combs they knew.
In a pulsating world where reinvention is the key to survival, one iconic figure stands out among the crowd – Sean Combs. Known by many names over the years, from the charismatic Puff Daddy to the suave P Diddy, and most recently, the enigmatic “Love”, Combs has weaved a complex tapestry of identities that have both captivated and mystified the public.
Reflecting on his ever-evolving persona, Combs once candidly remarked, “If I’m acting crazy, like ‘ahhh!’ that’s Diddy. If I’m dancing real smooth with a girl, that’s Puff Daddy. And if I’m looking like I’m nervous or scared or shy, that’s Sean.” These words, spoken in a revealing interview back in 2015, offer a glimpse into the intricate layers of his character, leaving many to ponder: who is the real Sean Combs?
As the spotlight shifts towards Combs once again, with a looming trial set for May, those who have been privy to his inner circle are left grappling with unsettling questions. Could it be that the man they thought they knew was merely a facade, concealing a darker truth beneath the glitz and glamour?
Jimmy Maynes, a long-time friend who shares a past with Combs in Mount Vernon, New York, reflects on this dichotomy. “One could think that he’s just a disgusting human being, but that’s not my memory of Puff,” Maynes muses, hinting at a complexity that belies easy categorization. Yet, in a moment of contemplation, he muses, “Or maybe money just gives people the freedom to be exactly who they really are, and he was that guy all along.”
With whispers of uncertainty swirling in the air, the enigma of Sean Combs deepens, inviting speculation and introspection in equal measure. What lies beneath the facade of fame and fortune? Are we truly able to decipher the enigmatic soul that lies within?
For those seeking further insights or desiring to delve deeper into this compelling narrative, the opportunity to engage with key figures such as Rianna and Larissa beckons. Their perspectives may offer a glimpse into a world where truth and illusion intertwine, where the boundaries between perception and reality blur in the shadow of one man’s enigmatic presence.
In a world where personas are crafted and discarded with the flick of a wrist, Sean Combs stands as a testament to the fluidity of identity and the enduring allure of reinvention. As the curtains rise on a new chapter in his tumultuous saga, one can only wonder – has anything truly changed, or are we simply witnessing yet another iteration of the multifaceted enigma that is Sean Combs?
