History of Sean Combs in Timeline

Sean 'Diddy' Combs is a prominent figure in the music industry, known for his work as a rapper, record producer, and executive. He started as a talent director at Uptown Records before launching Bad Boy Records in 1993. Diddy played a crucial role in launching the careers of iconic artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher, solidifying his influence and impact on contemporary music and popular culture.

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Full Timeline Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1990: Alleged sexual abuse by Combs and Aaron Hall

In 1990, Sean Combs and Aaron Hall allegedly sexually abused a woman, with Combs recording the incident.

1991: Alleged sexual abuse by Combs and Aaron Hall

In 1991, Sean Combs and Aaron Hall allegedly sexually abused a woman, with Combs recording the incident.

1992: Richard Dearlove begins performing as "Diddy"

In 1992, London-based musical artist Richard Dearlove began performing under the name "Diddy".

1994: Robbery and Shooting of Tupac

In 1994, The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs allegedly orchestrated the robbery and shooting of Tupac.

1997: Guinness World Record for "Most Successful Rap Producer"

In 1997, Sean Combs was listed as having a Guinness World Record for "Most Successful Rap Producer," as he produced singles that charted for 36 consecutive weeks.

1997: Combs sued for landlord negligence

In 1997, Sean Combs was sued for landlord negligence by Inge Bongo; Combs denied the charges.

1998: Combs begins hosting White Parties

In 1998, Sean Combs began hosting a series of parties known as White Parties.

April 15, 1999: Combs attacks Steve Stoute

On April 15, 1999, shortly after the music video for Nas' "Hate Me Now" aired on MTV featuring Combs being crucified, he and two others burst into Nas' former manager, Steve Stoute's office and attacked him.

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June 1999: Steve Stoute sues Combs

In June 1999, Steve Stoute sued Sean Combs following an assault, leading to an out-of-court settlement.

September 8, 1999: Combs pleads guilty to harassment

On September 8, 1999, Sean Combs pleaded guilty to a charge of harassment and was sentenced to spend one day in an anger management class for assaulting Steve Stoute.

December 27, 1999: Shooting at Club New York

On December 27, 1999, Sean Combs, his then-girlfriend Jennifer Lopez, and his protégé rapper Shyne were at Club New York in Times Square in Manhattan when gunfire occurred following an argument between Combs and another patron. Combs and Shyne were subsequently arrested for weapons violations and other charges.

2001: Combs arrested for driving with suspended license

In 2001, Sean Combs was arrested for driving with a suspended license in Florida.

2003: Kirk Burrowes sues Combs

In 2003, Kirk Burrowes sued Sean Combs, alleging that Combs had forced him to give up his shares in Bad Boy Records through threats of violence.

2003: Allegations of labor law violations in Sean John factories

In 2003, the National Labor Committee revealed that factories producing the Sean John clothing brand in Honduras were violating Honduran labor laws, including subjecting workers to body searches, involuntary pregnancy tests, and sweatshop wages.

February 2004: Settlement in Fenderson lawsuit

In February 2004, a lawsuit filed by Wardel Fenderson, who claimed emotional damage after the Club New York shooting incident, was settled, with terms kept secret.

February 2004: Improvements implemented at Sean John factory

In February 2004, improvements were announced at the Sean John factory, including adding air conditioning and water purification systems, firing abusive supervisors, and allowing the formation of a labor union.

2005: Combs settles with Richard Dearlove over name "Diddy"

In 2005, Sean Combs settled out of court with Richard Dearlove, who had been performing under the name "Diddy" since 1992, and can no longer use the name Diddy in the UK.

2005: Assault charge resolved in Combs's favor

In 2005, an assault charge against Sean Combs filed by Michigan television host Rogelio Mills was resolved in Combs's favor.

2006: Burrowes case dismissed

In 2006, the case filed by Kirk Burrowes against Sean Combs was dismissed because the statute of limitations had expired.

2007: Gerard Rechnitzer sues Combs for battery

In 2007, Gerard Rechnitzer sued Sean Combs for battery, claiming Combs had punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub.

March 2008: Combs settles Rechnitzer lawsuit

In March 2008, Sean Combs settled a lawsuit filed by Gerard Rechnitzer, who claimed Combs had punched him outside a Hollywood nightclub, on undisclosed terms.

2009: Combs ceases hosting White Parties

In 2009, Sean Combs ceased hosting a series of parties known as White Parties, after a 10 year run.

2009: Los Angeles Times claims Combs orchestrated Tupac shooting

In 2009, the Los Angeles Times claimed that The Notorious B.I.G. and Sean Combs orchestrated the 1994 robbery and shooting of Tupac, substantiating the claim with supposed FBI documents, but later retracted the story.

2012: Dexter Isaac confesses to shooting Tupac

In 2012, Dexter Isaac, an associate of Jimmy Henchman, confessed that he had shot Tupac in 1994 on Henchman's orders, contrary to earlier reports.

2014: Combs receives honorary doctorate from Howard University

In 2014, Sean Combs received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Howard University and delivered the commencement speech for its 146th commencement ceremony.

July 2, 2015: Assault charges dropped against Combs

On July 2, 2015, assault charges against Sean Combs, stemming from an altercation with his son's football coach, were dropped due to lack of evidence.

March 5, 2016: Combs physically assaults Ventura at hotel

On March 5, 2016, Sean Combs physically assaulted Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental hotel in Century City, Los Angeles.

2016: Combs donates $1 million to Howard University

In 2016, Sean Combs donated $1 million to Howard University to establish the Sean Combs Scholarship Fund, aimed at assisting students who face difficulties paying their tuition.

May 2017: Cindy Rueda files lawsuit against Combs

In May 2017, Cindy Rueda, who previously served as Sean Combs's personal chef, filed a lawsuit against Combs in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, alleging sexual harassment and retaliation.

February 2019: Rueda lawsuit settled

In February 2019, the lawsuit filed by Cindy Rueda against Sean Combs was settled for an undisclosed amount.

2021: Combs files lawsuit against Sean John owners

In 2021, Sean Combs filed a $60 million lawsuit against the new owners of Sean John, claiming the firm used his likeness without permission and fabricated quotes endorsing their new product line.

2021: Induction into Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame

In 2021, Sean Combs was inducted into the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame.

June 2022: BET Lifetime Achievement Award

In June 2022, Sean Combs received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award.

September 2022: Shooting at Combs's Chalice Recording Studio

In September 2022, a 30-year-old man was shot at a "writers and producers camp" held at Sean Combs's Chalice Recording Studio in Los Angeles.

2022: Combs donates to Howard University and Jackson State University

In 2022, during his BET Lifetime Achievement Award acceptance speech, Sean Combs announced he would donate $1 million each to Howard University and Jackson State University.

September 2023: Key to New York City Awarded

In September 2023, Sean Combs was awarded the key to New York City by Mayor Eric Adams.

November 16, 2023: Cassie Ventura files lawsuit against Combs

On November 16, 2023, Cassie Ventura, with whom Sean Combs had a long-term relationship, filed a lawsuit against him, accusing him of rape, sex trafficking, and physical abuse, also suggesting Combs was responsible for blowing up Ventura's then-boyfriend Kid Cudi's car.

November 23, 2023: Two further lawsuits filed against Combs

On November 23, 2023, two further lawsuits were filed against Sean Combs by two additional complainants, alleging sexual assault and revenge porn.

2023: Combs files racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo

In 2023, Sean Combs filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo, claiming the spirits company deliberately "knee-capped" the marketing and sales of his Cîroc vodka and DeLéon tequila labels.

2023: MTV VMA Global Icon Award

In 2023, Sean Combs received an MTV VMA Global Icon Award.

January 2024: Combs withdraws lawsuit against Diageo

In January 2024, Sean Combs voluntarily withdrew his racial discrimination lawsuit against Diageo with prejudice and severed the business relationship.

March 4, 2024: Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones files lawsuit alleging cover-up

On March 4, 2024, Rodney "Lil Rod" Jones filed a lawsuit against Sean Combs and his son Justin, alleging that they engaged in a "massive" cover-up of their involvement in the September 2022 shooting at Combs's Chalice Recording Studio.

March 25, 2024: Brendan Paul arrested on drug charges

On March 25, 2024, Brendan Paul, a former Syracuse University basketball player and associate of Sean Combs, was arrested at the Opa Locka Airport in Miami-Dade County, Florida, on two charges of cocaine and controlled substance possession.

May 17, 2024: CNN releases surveillance footage of Combs assaulting Ventura

On May 17, 2024, CNN released surveillance footage of Sean Combs physically assaulting Cassie Ventura at the InterContinental hotel in Century City, Los Angeles, on March 5, 2016.

May 19, 2024: Combs issues apology for assaulting Ventura

On May 19, 2024, Sean Combs issued a video apology on Instagram and Facebook, stating he was "truly sorry" and that his actions from March 5, 2016 were "inexcusable".

June 7, 2024: Howard University revokes Combs's honorary doctorate

On June 7, 2024, Howard University announced that it was revoking Sean Combs's honorary doctorate, returning his $1 million donation, and terminating his pledge agreement.

September 2024: Federal indictment reveals Combs allegedly tried to bribe hotel staff

According to a federal indictment in September 2024, Sean Combs allegedly tried to bribe hotel staff after his assault of Cassie Ventura was stopped.

September 16, 2024: Combs indicted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges

On September 16, 2024, Sean Combs was arrested and indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges of racketeering, sex trafficking by force, and transportation for purposes of prostitution.

October 1, 2024: The Washington Post reports on potential lawsuits against Combs

On October 1, 2024, The Washington Post reported that a team of lawyers will be filing as many as 120 more lawsuits against Sean Combs, covering assaults that allegedly took place during the 2000s and 2010s.

October 10, 2024: Trial start date set for Combs

During a court appearance on October 10, 2024, Judge Arun Subramanian set Sean Combs's trial start date as May 5, 2025.

October 13, 2024: First lawsuits filed in New York federal court

On October 13, 2024, Tony Buzbee filed the first six lawsuits in New York federal court. They are lawsuits against Sean Combs as a part of the up to 120 lawsuits that a legal team is planning to file against him.

November 27, 2024: Bail denied for Combs for third time

On November 27, 2024, a judge denied bail for Sean Combs for a third time.

2024: New York Times article discusses White Parties

According to a 2024 New York Times article, in the 2000s "few events held the [White Parties'] cultural cachet".

February 12, 2025: Combs files defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal

On February 12, 2025, Sean Combs's representatives filed a defamation lawsuit against NBCUniversal, Peacock, and Ample Entertainment, alleging that the documentary "Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy" contains defamatory statements.

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April 18, 2025: Request to postpone Combs's trial denied

On April 18, 2025, a request by Sean Combs's lawyers to postpone his trial for two months was denied.

June 24, 2025: Prosecution and defense conclude their cases

On June 24, 2025, the prosecution and defense concluded their cases in the trial of Sean Combs.

July 2, 2025: Combs Found Guilty on Prostitution Counts

On July 2, 2025, Sean Combs was found guilty on two counts of transportation for prostitution involving Ventura and male sex workers, but not guilty of racketeering and sex trafficking. He was denied bail and ordered to remain in custody pending sentencing.