Sean Combs (aka “Brother Love,” “Diddy,” “Puff Daddy,” “Puffy,” etc.) was accused in a lawsuit Wednesday of gang rape and sex trafficking, marking the fourth time in the past month that the music mogul has faced claims of sexual assault.
On social media, Combs characterized the recent allegations as attempts at character assassination, claiming that “sickening allegations have been made against me by individuals looking for a quick payday.”
Combs has denied all of the sexual assault allegations made against him ever since singer Cassie, a former girlfriend whose real name is Casandra Ventura, filed a lawsuit in November accusing him of rape and abuse. Combs reached a settlement with Ventura a day after she filed her suit.
Combs is among several men in the music industry — including multiple hip-hop executives — to face sex abuse allegations this year, thanks in large part to a special New York law. And while allegations of sexual misconduct aren’t unique to hip-hop, the raft of claims — among other things — speaks to why I’ve felt a little off watching some of the coverage of the genre’s 50th anniversary this year.
Admittedly, I’ve cringed watching some starry-eyed interviewers with little (of substance) to say about the genre, seemingly satisfied with their few minutes of fame alongside [insert rapper here].
And that’s, in part, because as a fan of the genre, I don’t think now is the time for over-the-top praise. In fact, I think those who truly love hip-hop are called upon to level intense scrutiny toward it at a time when it’s being extremely and hastily commoditized — and weaponized against vulnerable people. And we can offer this scrutiny without knowing the final outcome of any particular case.
In fact, I think those who truly love hip-hop are called upon to level intense scrutiny toward it at a time when it’s being extremely and hastily commoditized — and weaponized against vulnerable people.
There’s a long and…
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