The legacy of Sean "Diddy" Combs, once a towering figure in the music industry, faces further scrutiny as Peacock releases a new documentary, Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy, on January 14. The 90-minute feature delves into the life and alleged dark history of the disgraced rapper and producer, now incarcerated and awaiting trial on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
The documentary, produced by Ample Entertainment, Blink Films, and FGW Productions, includes interviews with members of Combs' inner circle, including his childhood friends, former bodyguards, and collaborators like singer-songwriter Al B. Sure! The latter, who shares a personal history with Combs, dated Kim Porter, the late model and actress who had a high-profile relationship with the music mogul.
"Honestly, I didn't want to be around him unless there were cameras," says one former associate in the trailer, encapsulating the tone of the film, which promises "crucial insight into the forces that shaped [Combs] and may have made him a monster."
The allegations against Combs span decades. According to federal prosecutors, Combs hosted what they called "freak off" sex parties, where women were allegedly coerced or threatened into participating in hours-long sexual activities. Anonymous sources in the documentary describe disturbing scenes, with one person claiming, "Any time a studio or any room is red, he's making love and sex. Some of the girls who were in the room, for sure, they were underage."
The trailer also features an anonymous woman alleging, "They said they could ship me off and sell me to anyone." Another interviewee claims, "Sean Combs is a monster."
These revelations come as Combs battles multiple lawsuits, including allegations of drugging and sexually assaulting three men. Court filings describe incidents where victims claimed they were served drinks spiked with drugs, leaving them unconscious before allegedly being assaulted. Combs' legal team has denied all allegations, stating, "These complaints are full of lies. We will prove them false and seek sanctions against every unethical lawyer who filed fictional claims against him."
Combs' legal troubles escalated in September when federal agents arrested him following a grand jury indictment. Homeland Security's raid on his properties earlier in 2024 reportedly uncovered items described by critics, including longtime rival 50 Cent, as further evidence of Combs' alleged predatory behavior. 50 Cent, known for his public feuds with Combs, is producing a Netflix docuseries focusing on the allegations.
Beyond the criminal charges, the documentary sheds light on the impact of Combs' alleged actions on those within his orbit. Al B. Sure! offers unique insights, having worked alongside Combs during his rise at Uptown Records. The documentary also features individuals who participated in Combs' music competition show, Making the Band, many of whom now speak out against their former mentor.
The public response to Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy has been polarizing. Critics argue that the documentary portrays Combs as emblematic of systemic issues in the entertainment industry, where unchecked power has historically shielded influential figures from accountability. The film also highlights the broader cultural shift toward exposing and addressing abuse in the industry.
Meanwhile, other networks are pursuing similar projects. ID, known for its investigative series, is producing a multipart documentary on Combs, and Netflix has announced its own deep dive into the allegations.
Combs, once hailed as a pioneer in hip-hop and business, has seen his reputation erode. While he awaits trial in May, the revelations in Peacock's documentary add to the mounting evidence that threatens to overshadow his career.
Watch the trailer here:
