Rapper Diddy (Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs) is facing charges of sex trafficking and extortion, prostitution. The allegations date back to 2008 and claim that Diddy abused, threatened and coerced women over several years “to satisfy his sexual desires, protect his reputation and hide his behavior.” Although Diddy has denied the allegations, the case has sparked outrage and public concern.
Music sales increase unexpectedly
Surprisingly, despite the serious allegations, Diddy’s music sales have skyrocketed. According to the Associated Press, music industry data and analytics firm Luminate reported that on-demand streaming of Diddy’s music increased 18.3 percent the week of his arrest compared to the week before.
It’s not uncommon for music sales to increase after controversy. After a documentary about R Kelly accused the R&B singer of sexually abusive behavior involving women and minors, music sales nearly doubled.
Shadow of the past
The increase in streaming comes in contrast to a sharp drop in demand for Diddy’s music after a CNN video of Diddy beating up his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2016 was released. According to THR, streams for ‘Diddy’ – Sean Combs’ latest stage name – dropped from 2,624,000 to 1,265,000.
In November 2016, Ventura filed a lawsuit claiming Diddy had beaten and raped her for years. She accused Combs of forcing her and others to have sex while using drugs. The lawsuit was settled in one day.
Sex trafficking charges
In the indictment against Diddy, prosecutors said federal raids on his mansions in Miami and Los Angeles led to the discovery of more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil and lubricant. Diddy allegedly forced victims to participate in multi-day sex acts, which he called “freak offs.” Diddy’s
associates allegedly provided drugs to the victims to force them to comply and threatened anyone who refused to participate. Those allegations form the basis for prosecutors’ sex trafficking charges against the music producer.
Sex trafficking laws expanded
The federal sex trafficking law was passed by Congress in 2000 as a deliberate move to crack down on prostitution and madams, but the evolving nature of the charge has seen it used more recently to snare individuals like Keith Raniere.
Notably, Diddy hired the same attorney, Marc Agnifilo, who previously challenged the government’s expanded use of federal sex trafficking charges in Raniere’s 2019 trial, which resulted in a 120-year prison sentence.
Raniere was the leader of the NXIVM cult, a self-help pyramid scheme that served as a front for his many crimes, including sexual assault, sex trafficking, child pornography, and forced labor.
Diddy is in custody, being monitored for prevention *****
After his arrest, Diddy was denied bail and is currently being held at the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. He is also being held on a preventive detention order.
After the indictment was made public, “baby oil” quickly trended worldwide, with stunned fans posting memes. Baby oil and lubricant were allegedly used during the “freak outs.”
Diddy’s case is still under investigation and he has not been charged. However, these serious allegations have affected his reputation and could lead to serious legal consequences.
