Hip hop mogul P. Diddy was charged by a Manhattan federal court on September 24 for allegedly running a criminal organization in the U.S. entertainment industry, with accusations including extortion. The victims reportedly included young artists who had just entered showbiz.

P. Diddy denies all allegations – Photo: GETTY IMAGES

Previously, P. Diddy (real name: Sean Combs) was arrested on September 17, following a years-long investigation by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

So how powerful is P. Diddy, and why has this case caused such a major shock to the American entertainment industry?

The Fall of the P. Diddy Empire

Rapper, singer, actor, producer, and record executive P. Diddy is one of America’s most influential artists, recognized for his significant contributions to hip hop culture. In terms of personal achievements, Diddy has 14 nominations and 3 Grammy wins.

Despite his musical legacy, Diddy has faced a series of accusations over the years.

Amid the controversies, the public has taken particular interest in P. Diddy’s relationship with Justin Bieber – Photo: GETTY IMAGES

According to The New York Times, federal prosecutors in Manhattan alleged that P. Diddy had been operating his criminal organization since at least 2008.

P. Diddy faces multiple charges, including conspiracy to commit extortion, which carries a potential life sentence.

This is just the beginning of what P. Diddy has to address, as his legal team continues to contend with several lawsuits.

At the press conference following P. Diddy’s arrest, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security revealed evidence seized from a raid on his property in March 2024.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security conducted multiple raids on P. Diddy’s properties – Photo: The New York Times

Prosecutors also noted that many victims remained silent for years due to P. Diddy’s influence in the entertainment industry. They reported that he often threatened to damage their careers or cause them personal harm.

Many celebrities have allegedly been aware of P. Diddy’s actions for years, but fear of retaliation kept them from speaking out.

Eminem and 50 Cent are known for their dislike of P. Diddy, though they’ve only hinted at it through their music – Photo: The Hollywood Reporter

Despite longstanding personal feuds with P. Diddy, rappers like Eminem and 50 Cent have refrained from speaking directly about the controversies surrounding him, choosing instead to reference them subtly in their music.

What other showbiz names are involved?

Following P. Diddy’s arrest, netizens quickly revisited the names of people who attended his events, surprised to find top names in American showbiz: Leonardo DiCaprio, LeBron James, Paris Hilton, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Mariah Carey.

Photos from past parties hosted by P. Diddy have resurfaced, linking many celebrities to the events – Photo: Page Six

It remains unclear whether these individuals had any knowledge of or involvement in the alleged activities.

The names that have been discussed most in recent days are Justin Bieber and Usher, both of whom attended P. Diddy’s Puffy Flavor Camp as teenagers.

Diddy and Justin Bieber’s old video caught the attention of netizens after the scandal, at that time the boy was only 15 years old and had just become a phenomenon in showbiz.

Fans of Justin Bieber have also speculated that he has hinted at his past experiences in his music, possibly sharing subtle messages about his time with Diddy.