In the first nine months of 2023, triumphantly performed at the MTV VMAs, released an R&B album that garnered a Grammy nomination and was a suitor to buy the BET network.
But several lawsuits filed late last year raised allegations of sexual assault and rape against Combs 害羞草研究所� one of hip-hop害羞草研究所檚 most recognizable names as a performer and producer.
The music mogul害羞草研究所檚 homes in Monday by federal agents with Homeland Security Investigators and other law enforcement. Officials said the searches were connected to an investigation by federal authorities in New York.
The officials spoke to The Associated Press on conditions of anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss details of the investigation. Combs害羞草研究所� attorney and other representatives didn害羞草研究所檛 immediately respond to a request for comment, and his whereabouts are unknown.
Although Diddy was embroiled in one high-profile business dispute for part of 2023, it was a case filed by his former girlfriend and that opened the door to other claims of sexual violence. Combs has vehemently denied the allegations.
It is not clear whether the search is related to any of the allegations raised in the lawsuits, which include one from a woman who claims Combs .
Here are some things to know about Combs and the investigation.
WHO IS DIDDY?
Combs is among the most influential hip-hop producers and executives of the past three decades. He built one of music害羞草研究所檚 biggest empires, blazing a trail with several entities attached to his famous name. He is the founder of Bad Boy Records and a three-time Grammy winner who has worked with a slew of top-tier artists including Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Lil Kim, Faith Evans and 112.
The music mogul created the fashion clothing line called Sean John, was associated with a well-known vodka brand and launched Revolt TV network, which focuses on music and social justice issues targeting African Americans. He also produced the reality show 害羞草研究所淢aking the Band害羞草研究所� for MTV.
In 2022, BET honored Combs with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his ability to shape culture through his career.
Combs won Grammys for his platinum-selling 1997 album 害羞草研究所淣o Way Out害羞草研究所� and the single 害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檒l Be Missing You,害羞草研究所� a song dedicated to the late Notorious B.I.G. who was killed earlier that year. He won another Grammy for 害羞草研究所淪hake Ya Tailfeather害羞草研究所� with Nelly and Murphy Lee.
Last year, Combs released his fifth studio album 害羞草研究所淭he Love Album: Off the Grid,害羞草研究所� which was nominated for best progressive R&B album at February害羞草研究所檚 Grammy Awards, which he did not attend. The album was his first solo project since his 2006 chart-topping 害羞草研究所淧ress Play,害羞草研究所� which had two top 10 hit singles: 害羞草研究所淟ast Night害羞草研究所� with Keyshia Cole and 害羞草研究所淐ome to Me害羞草研究所� featuring Nicole Scherzinger.
In 2004, Combs played Walter Lee Younger in the Broadway revival of 害羞草研究所淎 Raisin in the Sun,害羞草研究所� which aired as a television adaption four years later. He害羞草研究所檚 also appeared in films including 害羞草研究所淕et Him to the Greek害羞草研究所� and 害羞草研究所淢onster害羞草研究所檚 Ball.害羞草研究所�
WHAT SPARKED THE LAWSUITS?
In November, Combs害羞草研究所� protege and singer Cassie sued him for alleging years of sexual abuse including rape. The lawsuit alleged he forced her to have sex with male prostitutes while he filmed them.
Combs and Ventura began dating in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for more than a decade.
The suit was settled the day after it was filed, but the lawsuits against Combs kept coming.
Combs had said in a December statement, 害羞草研究所淚 did not do any of the awful things being alleged.害羞草研究所�
In February, a music producer filed a lawsuit alleging Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs害羞草研究所� attorney Shawn Holley has said of those allegations that 害羞草研究所渨e have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies.害羞草研究所�
Another of Combs害羞草研究所� accusers was a woman who said the rap producer raped her two decades ago when she was 17.
The filings detail acts of sexual assault, beatings and forced drugging allegedly committed in the early 1990s by Combs, then a talent director, party promoter and rising figure in New York City害羞草研究所檚 hip-hop community.
ANY REPERCUSSIONS FROM THE LAWSUITS?
Last year, Combs stepped down as chairman of his cable television network Revolt amid the sexual abuse allegations against him.
Revolt announced Combs害羞草研究所� decision via social media. It害羞草研究所檚 not clear if he will ever return to the media company 害羞草研究所� which said Combs previously had 害羞草研究所渘o operational or day-to-day role害羞草研究所� at the network.
害羞草研究所淭his decision helps to 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 African diaspora,害羞草研究所� the network said.
The network had been preparing to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Combs also created an online marketplace called that featured Black-owned brands. The website for the curated marketplace is still active, but shows no products being sold.
WHAT HAPPENED WITH DIAGEO?
Earlier this year, Combs withdrew the lawsuit filed last year as part of a settlement with the London-based spirits giant.
Combs said the company didn害羞草研究所檛 make promised investments in Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila 害羞草研究所� two brands Combs promoted in the past 害羞草研究所� and treated them as inferior 害羞草研究所渦rban害羞草研究所� products. He also .
In court filings, Combs said Diageo leadership told him race was one of the reasons it limited distribution to 害羞草研究所渦rban害羞草研究所� neighborhoods. Combs said he was also told some Diageo leaders resented him for making too much money.
In legal filings, Diageo of resorting to 害羞草研究所渇alse and reckless害羞草研究所� allegations 害羞草研究所渋n an effort to extract additional billions害羞草研究所� from the company.
Combs害羞草研究所� reputation took a serious hit after the lawsuit was filed. Diageo became the sole owner of Ciroc and DeLeon after the lawsuit was withdrawn.
Jonathan Landrum Jr., The Associated Press
