The Controversy Behind The Diddy Documentary
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs and his entourage are reportedly livid over a new, critical Netflix docu-series about him, produced by long-time rival Curtis ‘50 Cent’ Jackson. “Diddy: The Reckoning” hit #1 on the streaming platform this weekend, as the Diddy camp called it a “shameful hit piece” that relied on “stolen footage.”
The four-part documentary spans Diddy’s upbringing, music career, and eventual downfall after being arrested amid allegations he coerced his former girlfriends into sexual encounters with hired male escorts and orchestrated drug-fueled sex parties called “freak offs.”
Diddy was ultimately acquitted of the most serious sex trafficking and racketeering charges, but convicted of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. He is currently serving four years in prison.
Combs’ mother, Janice, spoke out against the film, including what she calls are “lies” portraying her as an abusive parent and describing him slapping her during a fit of rage.
Rapper ‘50 Cent’ insists the documentary was not made as a personal vendetta, but it has sparked controversy across the music industry.
DOCUMENTARY DETAILS
The series includes interviews with jurors from the federal trial against Diddy, women who accused him of sexual assault (dozens of lawsuits are still pending), childhood friends, and colleagues. It also details his abuse of former girlfriend Cassie, who testified at his trial.
The ‘stolen’ footage: The series opens with never-before-seen footage of the rap mogul just prior to his September 2024 arrest. Diddy’s team, who reportedly hired the videographers, has said the footage — where he says he’d “fight for his life” against allegations — was never authorized for release and illegally obtained.
The filmmakers say they got their hands on it after he was arrested. Multiple reports claim that the videographer, whose identity remains anonymous, was never paid by Combs after he was taken into custody
The Tupac-Biggie storyline: Episode 2 attempts to reset everything we know about the storied rivalry, including allegations that Diddy was involved in the murder of rapper Tupac Shakur in 1996 and was jealous of Biggie and Tupac’s friendship.
The series is a revealing, and often disturbing, ride through the life of a highly fraught and powerful man in the music industry. If you have four hours to spare, we highly recommend watching it for yourself.