Brian Buckmeyer

Chance the Rapper, Janelle Monáe, and tons of other celebs were cheering for Diddy. And then, instead of launching into a song, Diddy started a 10-minute speech.

Chance the Rapper, Janelle Monáe, and tons of other celebs were cheering for Diddy. And then, instead of launching into a song, Diddy started a 10-minute speech.

Sean Diddy Combs was in his 50s. His greatest hits as a musical artist were behind him. but he was being honored with BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Like an elder statesman of the music industry, he was being recognized for his years of service. Before the show, he joked that the honor was five years overdue. But standing on the stage that night, he had a long list of people he wanted to thank.

Sean Diddy Combs was in his 50s. His greatest hits as a musical artist were behind him. but he was being honored with BET's Lifetime Achievement Award. Like an elder statesman of the music industry, he was being recognized for his years of service. Before the show, he joked that the honor was five years overdue. But standing on the stage that night, he had a long list of people he wanted to thank.

This is just... He thanked Andre Harrell, who famously hired and then fired Diddy from Uptown Records, and his ex, Kim Porter, who had died from pneumonia several years earlier. He thanked artists he worked with early in his career, like Heavy D and the Notorious B.I.G., also Howard University, his lawyer, the fans. And then he said...

This is just... He thanked Andre Harrell, who famously hired and then fired Diddy from Uptown Records, and his ex, Kim Porter, who had died from pneumonia several years earlier. He thanked artists he worked with early in his career, like Heavy D and the Notorious B.I.G., also Howard University, his lawyer, the fans. And then he said...

And one other person, a bit of a surprise call out, to be honest.

And one other person, a bit of a surprise call out, to be honest.

Why was this shout-out to Cassie such a surprise? Well, it had been four years since Diddy and Cassie had broken up. She was married to someone else, and they had two children. She hadn't yet gone public with her allegations of abuse against Diddy. But that was about to change.

Why was this shout-out to Cassie such a surprise? Well, it had been four years since Diddy and Cassie had broken up. She was married to someone else, and they had two children. She hadn't yet gone public with her allegations of abuse against Diddy. But that was about to change.

Because according to Rolling Stone, Cassie didn't see that public thanks from Diddy as the sweet gesture it may have seemed to fans and viewers. To her, it was distressing, part of a pattern of behavior by a person who allegedly tormented her for years. And it was reportedly this BET moment that compelled her to file her bombshell lawsuit.

Because according to Rolling Stone, Cassie didn't see that public thanks from Diddy as the sweet gesture it may have seemed to fans and viewers. To her, it was distressing, part of a pattern of behavior by a person who allegedly tormented her for years. And it was reportedly this BET moment that compelled her to file her bombshell lawsuit.

Cassie even referenced this BET speech in her complaint, using some of the language Diddy had used to thank her, saying that she was the one who was held down by Combs and that the dark times were the years she allegedly spent trapped in his cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking, made to participate in freak-offs against her will.

Cassie even referenced this BET speech in her complaint, using some of the language Diddy had used to thank her, saying that she was the one who was held down by Combs and that the dark times were the years she allegedly spent trapped in his cycle of abuse, violence, and sex trafficking, made to participate in freak-offs against her will.

In the years since their relationship ended, the trophies and accolades kept coming for Diddy. He built massive wealth too. And according to other lawsuits, Diddy's abusive behavior didn't stop. It continued with other alleged victims. It would take Cassie coming forward with her lawsuit in November of 2023 for things to start to change, for more people to break their silence.

In the years since their relationship ended, the trophies and accolades kept coming for Diddy. He built massive wealth too. And according to other lawsuits, Diddy's abusive behavior didn't stop. It continued with other alleged victims. It would take Cassie coming forward with her lawsuit in November of 2023 for things to start to change, for more people to break their silence.

In this episode, we'll look back on Diddy's life right before and after the allegations against him went public. He was flying pretty close to the sun with a daring rebrand, a new album, and some big time awards. But those last few years can be seen in a very different light now. I'm Brian Buckmeyer. From ABC Audio, this is Bad Rap, The Case Against Diddy. Episode 4, Before and After.

In this episode, we'll look back on Diddy's life right before and after the allegations against him went public. He was flying pretty close to the sun with a daring rebrand, a new album, and some big time awards. But those last few years can be seen in a very different light now. I'm Brian Buckmeyer. From ABC Audio, this is Bad Rap, The Case Against Diddy. Episode 4, Before and After.

Sean Combs may have been born with that name, but he's rarely used it professionally. First, he was Buffy, Puff, and Puff Daddy in the 90s.

Sean Combs may have been born with that name, but he's rarely used it professionally. First, he was Buffy, Puff, and Puff Daddy in the 90s.