Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ music streams jump following sex trafficking arrest and indictment
Sean “Diddy” Combs’ music surged on streaming services in the week following his arrest on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering.
Music billed under various names the disgraced artist has used over the years — Diddy, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy — increased by an average of 18.3% in on-demand streams between Sept. 13 and 19 when compared to the previous tracking week, according to the industry data and analytics company Luminate.
Other embattled artists have also seen a jump in their streaming numbers as controversies swirled around them. R. Kelly’s streams doubled following the release of a Lifetime documentary series about allegations the R&B singer engaged in sexual misconduct with women and underage girls.
His album sales also increased by 517% following his 2021 conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Combs, 54, was arrested Sept. 16 at a New York City hotel by agents from Homeland Security Investigations. He traveled to New York anticipating his arrest following a grand jury indictment.
The artist was arraigned in federal court in Manhattan the following day and charged with three counts of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.
In an unsealed indictment, federal prosecutors accused the music mogul of abusing women and forcing them to participate in so-called “freak off” performances “to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”
The feds also allege the hitmaker used guns, kidnaping and arson to control his victims.
The allegations outlined in the indictment date back to 2008.
Combs pleaded not guilty to the charges. His attorney, Marc Agnifilo, said, “Mr. Combs is a fighter. He’s going to fight this to the end.”
The Grammy winner was denied bail and remanded to federal custody at a Brooklyn detention center while he awaits trial. The facility, the Metropolitan Detention Center in Sunset Park, has a notorious reputation for alleged “barbaric” and “reprehensible” conditions.
The facility has housed other notable figures accused of sex crimes, including R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Combs begged a judge to allow him to remain under house arrest at his Florida mansion while he awaits trial, promising he wouldn’t have any women visit him during the period. His request was denied. He’s reportedly been placed on suicide watch.
The once-revered party king’s arrest came just months after raids on his properties in March as part of an ongoing investigation.
Combs has faced several lawsuits over alleged sexual misconduct and abuse in the past months. He has denied all accusations made against him.
One of the first to sue Combs was his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura, who in November filed a civil suit alleging he raped and abused her. Combs and Ventura settled out of court the following day.
Though he denied any wrongdoing at the time after a 2016 surveillance video resurfaced that appeared to show Combs beating Ventura in the hallway of an LA hotel, the hip-hop star issued an apology in a since-deleted Instagram video.
