Hip-hop legends Diddy and Jay-Z are admired. Both rappers are friends and became renowned in the 1990s. The couple faces additional accusations after serving time for separate actions in 1999. In 2024, a woman accused the rappers of raping her during a 2000 home party when she was 13.
Jay, whose real name is Shawn Carter, and Combs deny the charges. Jay became famous in 1996 after his debut album, "Reasonable Doubt." Combs was a recording magnate by then. His debut solo emcee hit, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down," was successful. Notorious B.I.G., signed to Combs' Bad Boy Records, appeared on Jay's 1996 first album.
The New York rappers worked together on Combs' first album, "No Way Out," and Jay's second album, "In My Lifetime, Vol. 1," released after Biggie's March 1997 death.
Jay and Combs attended his 2019 star-studded 50th birthday celebration and Roc Nation Brunch, staying close. Jay & Combs donated $1 million to Hurricane Katrina charity at a September 2005 telethon. Rappers gathered when DJ Khaled earned a Hollywood Walk of Fame star in April 2022.
In 1999, "Big Pimpin'" and "I Need a Girl" rapper encountered legal difficulties. Jay was accused of stabbing Lance "Un" Rivera in a December Manhattan nightclub fight.
The Roc Nation Records founder was arrested for the stabbing and released on $50,000 bail.
Jay first pleaded not guilty but confessed to third-degree assault for three years probation. In his 2010 autobiography "Decoded," Jay said he violently assaulted Rivera but wasn't responsible for the stabbing.
Rivera told DJ Vlad in May 2023, "I don't know where people got Jay-Z stabbed me from because if anybody knows Jay-Z, Jay-Z's a nice guy." Meanwhile, Combs was involved in a nightclub shooting that left one woman shot in the face.
The Revolt co-founder, his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, his artist Moses "Shyne" Barrow, and his bodyguard Anthony "Wolf" Jones attended a Manhattan party.
Combs clashed with a suspected drug dealer at the party, culminating in a shooting. A 9mm hollow-point bullet hit Natania Reuben in the middle of her eyes, and she stated she saw Combs shoot her in the face while in the line of fire.
Combs, Barrow, Jones, and the "Selena" actress fled the shooting but were stopped by police after a short chase. Police charged three guys with possession of a stolen 9mm semiautomatic pistol. (Lopez was arrested and held in a cell for more than 12 hours but never charged.)
Following his acquittal, Combs settled legal disputes with Reuben and other victims of the nightclub incident. (Reuben reportedly received $1.8 million.) Barrow was convicted of assault and criminal possession of a firearm and sentenced to 10 years in jail, and deported to Belize.
In Barrow's 2024 Hulu documentary "The Honorable Shyne," the rapper-turned-politician called Combs the "fall guy" in lawsuits and highlighted his harsh methods.
When Beyoncé was 19 in 2000, Jay started dating her.
"We were friends first for a year and a half before we went on any dates," she said during an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2013. "We were on the phone for a year and a half, and that foundation is so important for a relationship. Just to have someone who you just like is so important, and someone who is honest."
After leaving Destiny's Child, the duo worked on Beyoncé's 2003 solo debut, "Crazy In Love," which launched her career. Combs and the pop queen became good friends and collaborated on her 2003 single "Summertime."
Jay and Combs seemed unstoppable in music after launching Bad Boy Records and Roc Nation. Both rappers topped Forbes' 2010 hip-hop riches list.
Nine years later, Jay became the first rapper millionaire with $1 billion in alcohol, music, and other enterprises. In 2017, Forbes valued Combs at $820 million from his Diageo contract for Ciroc vodka, Revolt media, Aquahydrate alkaline water, and DeLeon tequila.
Hip-hop wealth analyst Zack O'Malley Greenburg proclaimed him a millionaire in 2022. At the January 2020 Roc Nation Brunch, the men celebrated their professions.
"It's 2020, y'all, and it is different than when it was 2016," Combs said as Jay nodded along. "The game has been elevated. As you know, there has no expense been spared. We had a Black billionaire lunch year, understand, right? And, we're here together in keeping staying together. We're getting tighter, and united we stand."
Jane Doe sued Combs and an unknown male celebrity in October 2024 for raping her at a home party in 2000 when she was 13. Two months later, the complaint added Jay as the celebrity who raped her. After drinking at the party, the woman felt "woozy" and went to bed, according to the updated complaint acquired by Page Six.
The plaintiff then claimed that the Bad Boy Records founder and Jay entered the room, and Jay started to remove her garments and hold her down while Combs raped her as an unnamed female celebrity watched.
On December 8, 2024, Jay disputed the "heinous" rape charges, saying the victim's attorney, Tony Buzbee, was trying to "blackmail" him with the case.
"What Buzbee had calculated was the nature of these allegations and the public scrutiny would make me want to settle," he said. "No sir, it had the opposite effect! It made me want to expose you for the fraud you are in a VERY public fashion. So no, I will not give you ONE RED PENNY!!" per CBS.
Combs' legal team told Page Six: "This amended complaint and the recent extortion lawsuit against Mr. Buzbee expose his barrage of lawsuits against Mr. Combs for what they are: shameless publicity stunts, designed to extract payments from celebrities who fear having lies spread about them, just as lies have been spread about Mr. Combs. As his legal team has said before, Mr. Combs has full confidence in the facts and the integrity of the judicial process. In court, the truth will prevail: that Mr. Combs never sexually assaulted or trafficked anyone man or woman, adult or minor."
In September 2024, Combs was arrested for sex trafficking, racketeering, and prostitution transportation. The "Act Bad" rapper pled not guilty and will be tried on May 5, 2025.
Several men and women have sued Combs for raping, drugging, and/or sexually abusing them. Jay has not commented on his longtime friend's alleged offenses.
Internet users responded to the startling accusations.
"Diddy and Jay-Z's influence on music is undeniable, but these allegations are deeply troubling," one follower said.
"We can't excuse horrific actions, no matter how successful someone is. #AccountabilityNow," a second netizen wrote.
"Imagine being Beyoncé and having to deal with all this drama. Sending her love," a third person commented.
"From legends to scandals-what a downfall for Jay and Diddy," another follower stated.
"This trial will shape hip-hop history. Truth must prevail," a fifth netizen chimed in.
"Allegations like these can't just be ignored. If true, there must be consequences," another person wrote.
Business Times has reached out to Jay-Z and Diddy for comments.
