A BBC investigation has uncovered disturbing accounts from over 20 former employees of Sean "Diddy" Combs' Bad Boy Records, alleging incidents of sexual misconduct, drugging, and violence during the label's peak in the 1990s. Combs, who is currently facing serious legal challenges, faces accusations that hint at a darker side behind his glamorous music empire.
The Dark Side of Diddy's 90s Empire: Allegations from Former Insiders
The Dark Side of Diddy's 90s Empire: Allegations from Former Insiders
Insiders provide chilling testimonies about Sean "Diddy" Combs' behavior during the rise of Bad Boy Records, revealing a controversial culture of sexual misconduct and intimidation.
A recent investigation by the BBC has shed light on the troubling incidents surrounding Sean "Diddy" Combs' rise to fame in the 1990s at his music label, Bad Boy Records. Former executives, assistants, and artists have come forward, detailing a culture rife with sexual misconduct, intimidation, and inappropriate behavior that persisted during the label's heyday.
Daniel Evans, a former music executive, recalls a chilling encounter with Combs in 1997. He quotes Combs threatening a colleague, reflecting a toxic environment fueled by unchecked power. "I have so much money now that I could hire someone to kill you, and nobody would know," Evans remembers Combs saying, which he associates with the extreme changes in Combs' demeanor following his newfound wealth. Just days before, Combs had celebrated receiving $6 million after the label achieved significant success with stars like The Notorious B.I.G.
As Combs' empire expanded into various sectors, the allegations have grown as well. Presently, he sits in jail awaiting trial on serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, while simultaneously battling multiple lawsuits from alleged victims who accuse him of drugging and assaulting them in lavish settings affiliated with his label.
In speaking with more than 20 former employees, the BBC gathered accounts that painted a disturbing picture of the culture at Bad Boy Records. Some recollections included instances of Combs engaging in sexual acts within the studio, certain employees voicing discomfort after Combs requested condoms, and corporate funds being allocated to fly women in for sexual activities at the request of executives and artists alike.
Evans recounted deeply troubling memories about an incident where he unexpectedly walked in on Combs having intercourse with a young woman in the studio, who he later speculated might have been inebriated or under the influence of drugs. Other accounts recounted a series of inappropriate incidents where women were flown in under the guise of corporate business, backed by budgets disguised as travel expenses.
Felicia Newsome, who managed the studio, remarked that while instances of inappropriate conduct were commonly overlooked at the time, they fell far below modern standards of workplace ethics. She recalled once reprimanding Combs for asking staff to provide him with condoms. Although she was able to confront him directly, other employees were hesitant to challenge the power dynamics present at Bad Boy.
The culture even extended to the working relationships among staff, with many young interns and employees engaging in sexual encounters. Evans recalled an unsettling proposition from a 14-year-old intern that he quickly squashed but underscored the troubling dynamics of workplace relationships at the label, hinting at a broader pattern of misconduct.
Former staff also reflected on the vibrant yet chaotic nature of the recording studio, where a party atmosphere often led to reckless behavior. Reports emerged of artists demonstrating erratic demands, and the studio environment shifting to one associated with drugs and sexual revelry.
Despite the serious allegations, many still express disbelief about Combs' actions, struggling to reconcile his public persona with the accounts being raised against him. As Combs prepares for his court proceedings, former colleagues question whether they ever truly knew the individual behind the celebrity.
As the world awaits the revelations that may surface during Combs' trial in May, the legacy of Bad Boy Records seems overshadowed by the troubling conduct of one of hip-hop's most influential figures. The narrative surrounding Sean Combs serves as a cautionary tale of how power can corrupt and the consequences that unfold in its wake.
