The Rise and Fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs

 December 27, 2024
By M Muzamil Shami

 

Hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs was arrested for sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy in September 2024.

The year is 1999. Sean “Diddy” Combs’ legendary “White Parties” were making waves, even though they had only started a year earlier. Speaking with Entertainment Tonight, the budding rap mogul confidently promoted his extravagant gatherings.

“You’re gonna hear about my parties. They’re going to be shutting them down. They’re probably going to be arresting me for all types of crazy things just because we want to have a good time, you know?” he remarked.

Fast forward to 2024, and his words have become eerily prophetic.

Combs—also known as Puffy, Love, and Diddy—now sits in custody, awaiting trial for sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy, and other severe charges. With over 100 sexual assault lawsuits filed against him and more emerging daily, his infamous parties have transitioned from elite celebrations to the center of a legal and moral storm.

If convicted in his May 2025 trial, Combs could face 15 years to life in prison.

How did Sean “Diddy” Combs rise to hip-hop royalty only to fall into scandal and disgrace? Let’s explore his journey.

The Rise of Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Childhood, Family, and Education

Sean Combs was born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem but was raised in Mount Vernon, New York. His father, Melvin Combs, had ties to notorious drug dealer Frank Lucas and was fatally shot when Sean was just two years old.

Raised by his mother, Janice, Combs grew up Roman Catholic and served as an altar boy. His nickname, “Puff,” originated from his high school years, referencing his temper. After graduating from Mount Saint Michael Academy in 1987, he enrolled at Howard University to study business but left after two years to pursue music.

He later received an honorary doctorate from Howard in 2014, which was revoked in 2024 amidst the mounting scandals.

Internship at Uptown Records (1990)

In 1990, Combs began interning at Uptown Records under Andre Harrell, where he demonstrated a keen eye for talent by collaborating with Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. These experiences set the stage for his meteoric rise.

Bad Boy Records (1993)

After being fired from Uptown Records in 1993 for his overconfidence, Combs launched Bad Boy Records. His first major signing, Christopher Wallace—better known as Notorious B.I.G.—catapulted the label to fame.

Party Lifestyle and Controversy

The success of Ready to Die in 1994 solidified Bad Boy Records' dominance. Yet, Diddy’s lifestyle became equally infamous. In a 2016 interview, Usher revealed shocking details of living with Combs at the age of 13, calling the early ’90s “pretty wild.”

East Coast-West Coast Rivalry

By the mid-1990s, Combs was embroiled in the East Coast-West Coast feud that culminated in the tragic deaths of Tupac Shakur in 1996 and Biggie Smalls in 1997. Conspiracy theories about Combs’ involvement in Tupac’s murder resurfaced when Duane “Keefe D” Davis, arrested in 2023, implicated him.

Jennifer Lopez Club Shooting (1999)

Combs’ 1999 Times Square Club outing with Jennifer Lopez ended in gunfire. While Combs was acquitted of weapons charges, his protégé Shyne was convicted, serving a decade in prison.

The Fall of Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Cassie’s Lawsuit (November 2023)

Singer Cassie filed a bombshell lawsuit against Combs in late 2023, alleging years of abuse, sex trafficking, and assault. The case was settled within a day, prompting speculation about what Combs was hiding.

FBI Raid (March 2024)

The FBI raided Combs’ properties in March 2024 as part of an ongoing sex trafficking probe.

Video Leak (May 2024)

In May 2024, leaked footage showed Combs assaulting Cassie in 2016, leading to public outrage and a rare apology from the music mogul.

100+ Lawsuits (October 2024)

By October 2024, over 100 alleged victims, some as young as nine, had filed lawsuits against Combs, alleging decades of abuse.

Arrest and Bail Denial (September 2024)

Combs was arrested on September 16, 2024, on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. His bail was repeatedly denied, leaving him in custody as he awaits trial.