Last month, MAX, the HBO streaming service, released a mini-documentary about the career and the crimes surrounding the rapper and producer Sean “Puffy” Combs, also known as P. Diddy.
The series follows the resurfaced accusations that Combs’ ex-girlfriend, singer Cassie Ventura, made public in a civil lawsuit against him, uncovering years of abusive and violent behaviour coming from Diddy.
[From now on, it might contain spoilers!]
The documentary focuses on Cassie and Puffy’s relationship, the abuse that led her to sue him and the video released in 2024 showcasing the domestic violence the singer endured.
Throughout the first episodes we learn about his early life and family dynamic such as how he was raised by a single mom who believed in sexist stereotypes and incidents going unnoticed since his college days.
As we dive more deep into the show, we get to know more and more about Sean’s public relationships over the years and how there was always a pattern of controlling and abusive behavior, which he used to belittle and trap his partners. The lack of accountability demanded from Diddy throughout the years seemingly only strengthened his mindset that he could do whatever he wanted and to whoever he liked.
In his professional life, we follow a quick rise to fame, with him becoming a millionaire by 19, and mysterious tragedies involving his rivals, for example the assassination of singer Tupac Shakur.
Regardless of his narcissistic and abusive behavior against employees, girlfriends and anyone who got in his way, Diddy remained an untouchable figure in the cultural setting for decades.
The show follows Journalists and old employees who worked for Combs giving us a unique look at the horrible things he did for years.
‘White Parties’ and the famous ‘Freak-offs’, Diddy’s afterparties, were filled with drugs, alcohol, violence and sexual abuse that were swept under the carpet because of the enormous amount of power he had. The victims invited to speak up reflect on how their lives were ruined and how they had to stay silent or endure public humiliation and threats for years.
The doc ends with Diddy’s old assistant, Phil Pines saying: “That was my experience. That was everybody’s experience who knew him beyond the lights and cameras”.
Besides all the accusations, Sean Combs has shown no remorse through the years with any of his victims and even so now, being held without bail and awaiting his trial, he continues to deny taking any responsibility for his crimes.
We’re left with a very clear view of Sean “Puffy” Combs’ rise to fame, which was filled with fear, intimidation, abuse, power and irreparable damages to all of those who got to know him. The stories that were told leaves us wondering if it is possible to enjoy his contributions to the hip hop industry. Can one separate his cultural impact from all the violence it took for him to get to be a music legend? Are there any limits to how far a man with the right amount of power can go without having any consequences?
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The article above was edited by Malu Panico.
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