Why P. Diddy’s Case Hits Differently From Others
Yes, trafficking happened. But there is another side to this that no one is talking about.
If you’re online, chances are high that you heard about Diddy’s current legal case. I know I have, and it’s been a minute since I’ve been involved in the hip hop world like that.
For those not in the know, Diddy (also known as Puff Daddy or P. Diddy) has been caught in a veritable maelstrom of legal and civil suits linked to sex trafficking. Court documents mentioned the following:
He’s drugged sex workers, minors, and guests at his house to have sex with them.
He’s had hired help provide drugs for him so that he could rape people.
He’s offered rappers and other guys in his clique money for sex.
He’s trafficked, raped, and beaten women over the course of decades.
He’s “casting couched” multiple men, dangling contracts over them in order for him to get laid.
He hosted sex trafficking parties that even included names like Prince Harry on the guest list.
He allegedly killed people.
Oh, and he also had an inappropriate relationship with Justin Bieber.
As someone who has been trafficked, this case hits very close to home. While I could talk about the similarities I’ve seen when I was foisted into parties, the truth is that there is something very, very different here that no one wants to talk about.
What makes Diddy’s accusations shocking aren’t the acts toward women.
I’m going to rip the proverbial bandaid off and say what I’m not supposed to say: this is common in the music industry. More specifically, rape, casting couches, prostitution, and more are common in mainstream music.
I’ll go so far as to say it’s most common in rap and hip hop. This is not something I like to admit, but it’s what I’ve personally seen. The more mainstream a record label is, the worse the women affiliated with it are treated.
While I have many friends in the hip hop industry who are great to women, I’ve seen way too many video vixens assaulted on set to ignore that truth. If you’re in the big leagues, then chances are you’re dealing with someone who has done horrible shit.
With all that said, groupie culture is still very alive and well. Being expected to fuck your stars is part of being a groupie. However, there is a bigger thing that makes many people in rap and hip hop wince.
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