#397: A New Angle On the Diddy Indictment

In this commentary episode of the Patrick coffin show, Patrick does a review of the players and principles surrounding the bull’s eye of the target known as Sean “Diddy” Combs, arrested last month by Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, and William S. Walker, the Acting Special Agent in Charge of the New York Field Office of Homeland Security Investigations.   Diddy was charged with a three-count indictment for racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.     But this case is not about celebrity gossip or the downfall of one or two bad apples.    It is a revelation of the depth of depravity and denial that has always characterized the entertainment industry. The Diddy indictment alleges that between 2008 and 2024, he abused, threatened, and coerced women and others, and led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery, and obstruction of justice, among other crimes.   In the Hollyweird orbit of Epsteins and Weinsteins, why would a Combs indictment for similar behavior shock us? There are more questions to be asked.   Topics covered in this episode:   Why is no one talking about the “family tree” of mentorship and manipulation by the man who discovered Diddy, R&B producer Andre Harrell, and the man who discover Harrell—the creepy self-described bisexual Clive Davis, founder of Arista Records. How did Diddy’s career really start? The litany of people connected to Diddy who showed up dead or seriously ill, like ex-girlfriend Kim Porter, JayZ’s pregnant mistress Cathy White, singer Aaliyah, and radio host Wendy Williams. Former insiders to follow: R&B singer Jaguar Wright, comedian Katt Williams, and former Diddy bodyguard Gene Deal. Troubled rappers connected to Diddy: JayZ, Drake, Usher, 50 cent, Tupac Shakur, Biggie Smalls (aka the Notorious BIG), R. Kelly   Rappers are black proxies for largely non-black owners, who seem always to escape justice   Puff Combs’ Bay Boy Records (owned by BMG, sold to Sony in 2008, CEO Rob Stringer; Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, distributed by Epic Records, owned by Sony Music Entertainment, CEO Rob Stringer; Drake’s OVO Sound, an imprint of Warner Records from its formation until 2022, CEO Aaron Bay-Schuck; Tyler, The Creator, Odd Future Records, parent company, Sony Music Entertainmen, CEO Rob Stringer; Legendary DEF JAM records, parent company Universal Music Group, CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; Jay Z’s Rock a Fella Records, owned by Universal Music Group, CEO is Sir Lucian Grainge; 50 Cent’s G-Unit Records, owned by Universal Music Group, CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; Usher and Justin Bieber’s RBMG Island Def Jam Music Group, run by Tunji Balogun, but the parent company is Universal Music Group, CEO Sir Lucian Grainge; Yo Gotti’s Collective Music Group CMG, owned by parent company, Universal Music Group, CEO Lucian Grainge; Dr. Dre’s Aftermath Records, a subsidiary of Universal Music Group, and distributed through Interscope Records, CEO Sir Sir Lucian Grainge (Dickon Stainer in the UK)   The grandaddy of all the non black music executives is Clive Davis, the main puppet master of Diddy, and the man who launched careers dating back to the 60s, from Tony Orlando, the Bay City Rollers, Aretyha Franklin, Whitney Houston and many others up to: Justin Bieber, perhaps the highest profile troubled artist in this toxic space.