Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has been hit with a massive $100 million judgment after failing to appear in court to answer sexual assault allegations. Derrick Lee Cardello-Smith, a 51-year-old Michigan inmate, claims Combs drugged and assaulted him at a 1997 party, leading a Lenawee County judge to issue a default ruling.
The explosive allegations are just the latest in a series of lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual misconduct and abuse dating back to the early 1990s. Last year, singer Cassie (Combs' ex) settled a $30 million lawsuit alleging years of abuse. Music producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones also accused Combs of operating a “sex-trafficking venture” and hosting parties where women and underage girls were exploited.
As the lawsuits pile up, critics are comparing Combs to disgraced figures like Jeffrey Epstein, suggesting his wealth and power have enabled him to evade accountability. While Combs continues to deny all allegations, this latest judgment shines a harsh spotlight on the dark side of the music industry, where corruption and exploitation are all too common.
What’s happening with Diddy points to a much larger issue within the music industry itself—a culture that protects its most profitable players at the expense of justice. Diddy's case isn’t just about one man; it's a symptom of how corruption, abuse, and exploitation have been allowed to fester behind the scenes for too long.
The music industry, like many other entertainment sectors, has historically placed profits above accountability. From executives turning a blind eye to abuse to record labels covering up scandals to protect their bottom line, the culture of silence has been complicit in shielding figures like Diddy for decades.
