Sean "Diddy" Combs, the prominent hip-hop mogul and founder of Bad Boy Records, finds himself at the center of explosive new allegations. In the recently released Hulu documentary "The Honorable Shyne," Combs' former bodyguard, Gene Deal, claims the music executive engaged in a ritual involving a bird sacrifice on the day of his 1999 nightclub shooting verdict. These allegations add to Combs' mounting legal challenges, as he currently faces charges of racketeering and sex trafficking.
The documentary, which premiered on November 18, revisits the life of Moses "Shyne" Barrow, a former protégé of Combs who served a decade in prison for his role in the shooting. While Combs was acquitted of charges that could have led to a 15-year sentence, Barrow was convicted of assault and weapons charges. Deal's recollection of events casts a new and unsettling light on the circumstances surrounding Combs' acquittal.
According to Deal, Combs met a man in Central Park on the morning of the verdict. "When Puff got close to the guy, he just dropped down to his knees," Deal stated in the film. He described seeing smoke encircling Combs, which he believed to be sage. The man reportedly prayed over Combs and directed him to release a white bird from a cage. "Puff took this white bird and threw it up in the air, and the bird just fell to the ground, boom, like it was a brick," Deal claimed. "The bird died, man ... the bird didn't even move." Combs' legal team has not responded to these allegations.
The revelations have reignited discussions about the 1999 shooting case. Combs walked free, but Barrow, who has since become a politician in Belize, has long contended that he was unfairly made to take the fall for his former mentor. "All of Combs' evil ways are now 'coming to light,'" Barrow stated in the documentary. He expressed resentment at being left to "rot in prison" while Combs continued to enjoy success and wealth. In response, Combs issued a statement to Rolling Stone, categorically denying Barrow's accusations, describing them as "unequivocally false."
These fresh claims come at a critical juncture for Combs, who was arrested on September 16 and charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution. Combs, who maintains his innocence, is slated for trial in May 2025. His legal team has consistently argued that he is not guilty of any wrongdoing, despite an avalanche of accusations, including over 120 new lawsuits alleging various forms of misconduct.
The 1999 shooting incident remains a divisive episode in Combs' career. The confrontation at a Manhattan nightclub left multiple individuals injured, including a woman who sustained a gunshot wound to the face. The ensuing trial captured national attention, tarnishing Combs' reputation even as he was acquitted. Barrow, meanwhile, was convicted and deported to Belize upon completing his prison term, cutting short his rap career.
Deal's assertions have reignited interest in the case, prompting questions about what transpired behind closed doors. According to Page Six, Combs' representatives have not issued a comment regarding the documentary's claims.
