An in-depth investigation by Rolling Stone into Sean "Diddy" Combs' past has revealed that the rap mogul's allegedly abusive behavior is a decades-long pattern.
Combs' alleged habit of assaulting women dates back to his time at Howard University. He was known for throwing "once-in-a-lifetime type of vibe" parties, at which he would become "belligerent" and angry, leading him to get violent, most often with women.
The producer once explained that he had earned one of his famous monikers because he "had a temper. That's why my friend started calling me Puffy."
Former classmates of Combs detailed instances where he would touch women without their consent, with one stating that she "kept as far away as possible" from him.
Another student spoke of Combs' relationship at the time, saying that he "just had a weird control thing. I felt like [his girlfriend] was fearful." Combs was allegedly seen yelling at his girlfriend, with one alum reporting that other students said "Puff is out here acting crazy. He's beating her."
Arguably the most high profile lawsuit against Combs is from his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. Ventura first met Combs at her 21st birthday party in 2007, where he "pulled her into a bathroom and forcibly kissed her...leaving her in tears." The two would get together later that year, dating on and off until finally breaking up in 2018.
Ventura alleges that Combs physically, psychologically and sexually abused her for years. He also threatened the other men in her life. While Ventura and Combs were broken up, she briefly dated rapper Kid Cudi. Combs allegedly said that "he was going to blow up Kid Cudi's car and that he wanted to ensure that Kid Cudi was home with his friends when it happened."
Kid Cudi claims that his car did explode, and that "this is all true."
A recently unearthed video from 2016 shows Combs throwing Ventura to the ground, kicking and stomping on her in a hotel hallway. The incident is one of many that Ventura references in her lawsuit.
Five women and one man have since filed suits against Combs.
After the fourth accuser came forward, Combs made a statement: "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."
The allegations against Combs follow a pattern. He has been accused of drugging, beating and raping women as well as filming their "sexual encounters" without consent. One woman alleges he choked her until she nearly fainted; another that Combs and two of his friends took turns raping her after drugging her.
Multiple accusers allege that Combs assaulted them when they were minors. In the 1990s, Combs also housed a then-teenage Usher, where the young R&B star was exposed to a "totally different set of sh-, sex, specifically."
Combs' abuse allegedly spilled into the workplace. He reportedly attacked a woman in the Bad Boy office as well as Steve Stoute, an executive at Interscope Records. Stoute alleges that Combs "punched me in the face, and then he grabbed the phone and bashed me in the head with it."
Stoute and Combs settled privately.
Combs has even admitted to some of his behavior, saying to Rolling Stone in 1995 that he believes "at times I was hard to work with.... Possibly I was doin' sh- that an asshole would do, just abusing the power."
He clarified that "that was only a little bit of the time."
Alongside abuse charges, Combs has been tied to multiple high profile shootings.
In 1999, Shyne, a signee to Bad Boy, was convicted of firing shots that injured three people at a nightclub. Combs, who fled the scene, was charged with weapons possession and attempted bribery. He has also been accused of offering "$1 million for a hit on [Tupac] Shakur" by Duane Keith "Keffe D" Davis, who was charged with the 1996 murder.
At the end of March, the Department of Homeland Security conducted raids on Combs' homes in both Los Angeles and Miami.
After the tape showing Combs violently attacking Ventura was released, he posted an apology to social media in which he describes his behavior as "inexcusable." He claims that he is "disgusted" by his actions now and when he "did it."
"I take full responsibility for my actions in that video," he said, adding that it is "so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life."
He continued, saying that he is "so sorry, but I'm committed to be a better man each and every day. I'm not asking for forgiveness. I'm truly sorry."
Ventura, who Combs does not name in his apology, and her legal team found the message to be disgraceful.
"That he was only compelled to 'apologize' once his repeated denials were proven false shows his pathetic desperation, and no one will be swayed by his disingenuous words," reads a statement from her attorney, Meredith Firetog.
Producer Lil Rod, who claims that Combs sexually assaulted him and forced him to have "encounters" with sex workers, described Combs as having "no soul" and "no duty to anyone."
"He is this monster, nothing has changed."
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