LOS ANGELES (AP) — Whereas Sean “Diddy” Combs awaits a jury’s verdict in his federal intercourse trafficking trial, the once-celebrated music mogul has seen his enterprise empire quickly unravel.
Combs, 55, who is without doubt one of the most influential figures in hip-hop historical past, now faces expenses, together with racketeering conspiracy, intercourse trafficking involving two former companions and transporting folks throughout state traces for prostitution. Prosecutors have painted a darkish portrait of the mogul, whose alleged sample of violence included drug-fueled intercourse events he reportedly known as “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
If convicted, the three-time Grammy winner may face life in jail. He has pleaded not responsible.
Right here’s a better take a look at how Combs’ enterprise portfolio and public picture have crumbled underneath the burden of the allegations.
What has occurred to Combs’ enterprise empire?
Earlier than Combs was arrested and charged, his main enterprise ventures had collapsed: He stepped down and later absolutely divested from Revolt TV, which was based in 2013. The community supplied a mixture of programming targeted on hip-hop tradition, R&B music, social justice and documentaries.
He additionally reportedly misplaced a Hulu actuality collection deal and noticed his once-iconic style model Sean John vanish from Macy’s cabinets.
After surveillance footage surfaced final yr exhibiting Combs bodily assaulting singer Cassie, his then-girlfriend, in 2016, penalties mounted: New York Metropolis revoked his ceremonial key, Peloton pulled his music, Howard College rescinded his honorary diploma and his constitution college in Harlem reduce ties.
Final yr, Combs settled a authorized dispute with Diageo, relinquishing management of his profitable spirits manufacturers, Ciroc and DeLeón. Whereas lots of his ventures have unraveled, his music catalog — for now — stays intact.
The place does Combs’ music stand?
Unhealthy Boy Data could also be synonymous with Nineties icons like The Infamous B.I.G., Religion Evans, Ma$e, and 112, however Combs stored the label related earlier than his arrest with high-profile releases.
In 2023, Combs dropped “ The Love Album: Off the Grid,” which was his first solo studio album in practically twenty years, and Janelle Monáe launched her critically acclaimed venture ” The Age of Pleasure ” by Unhealthy Boy. Each albums earned Grammy nominations, with Monáe’s effort acknowledged within the prestigious document of the yr class.
Forward of the “The Love Album” launch, Combs made headlines by returning Unhealthy Boy publishing rights to a number of former artists and songwriters, years after he was criticized for the way he dealt with their contracts.
Unhealthy Boy Data stays operational, however the label has been considerably shaken by Combs’ authorized firestorm and it hasn’t introduced any main upcoming releases.
Final week, a shock EP known as “Never Stop” launched by his son, King Combs, and Ye (previously Kanye West), confirmed help for the embattled mogul. The venture was launched by Goodfellas Leisure.
Unhealthy Boy Data remained energetic by 2022, backing Machine Gun Kelly’s “Mainstream Sellout” underneath the Unhealthy Boy umbrella. He was a producer on MTV’s actuality tv collection “Making the Band,” and “Making His Band,” launching the careers of artists just like the woman group Danity Kane and male R&B group Day 26.
Might Diddy’s fortune be in danger?
Combs has been sued by a number of individuals who declare to have been victims of bodily or sexual abuse. He has already paid $20 million to settle with one accuser, his former girlfriend Cassie. Most of these lawsuits, although, are nonetheless pending. It isn’t clear what number of, if any, will likely be profitable, or how a lot it would value Combs to defend himself in courtroom. Combs and his attorneys have denied all of the misconduct allegations and dismissed his accusers as out for an enormous payday.
Federal prosecutors have additionally knowledgeable the courtroom that if Combs is convicted, they’d search to have him forfeit any property, together with property, “used to commit or facilitate” his crimes. They received’t element precisely what property which may contain till after the trial is over.
How is Diddy’s music faring on streaming?
Regardless of the authorized turmoil surrounding Combs, his music catalog stays extensively out there on main streaming platforms together with Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. Not one of the streamers have publicly addressed whether or not they plan to regulate how his music is featured if Combs is convicted.
Apparently, Combs’ music noticed a roughly 20% increase in U.S. streaming between April and Might 2025, his largest month-to-month spike this yr, in response to Luminate. The numbers leap coincided with key moments within the trial, together with testimonies from Cassie and Child Cudi.
Nonetheless, there was a slight drop-off with a 5 to 10% lower in June in comparison with the earlier month’s streams.
Streaming makes up a fraction of an artist’s income and is calculated by a sophisticated course of known as “streamshare.” Most artists see little or no pay from digital companies.
What occurred to different companies like Sean John?
Sean John, based in 1998, has gone largely dormant, with its presence disappearing from main retailers like Macy’s. There are not any clear indicators of a relaunch on the horizon.
In 2023, Combs launched Empower World, a web-based market designed to uplift Black-owned companies and strengthen the Black greenback. He positioned the platform as a modern-day “Black Wall Street,” backing it with a reported $20 million of his personal funding.
The platform debuted with 70 manufacturers and deliberate to broaden by onboarding new Black-owned companies every month, aiming to function greater than 200 by yr’s finish.
Nonetheless, as 2023 got here to a detailed, a number of manufacturers reduce ties with Empower World. It was reported that some cited disappointing efficiency and rising issues over the misconduct allegations surrounding Combs.
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AP Music Author Maria Sherman contributed to this report.
