The week after Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, his music skyrocketed on streaming services.
According to industry data and analytics firm Luminate, music promoted under the various names the disgraced artist has used over the years — Diddy, Puff Daddy and P. Diddy — saw an average 18.3% increase in on-demand streams between Sept. 13 and 19 compared to the previous week.
Other embattled artists have also seen streaming numbers soar amid the controversy surrounding them. R. Kelly's streams double The incident follows the release of a Lifetime documentary series that explored allegations that the R&B singer engaged in sexual misconduct with women and underage girls.
His album sales also increased by 517% in 2021 following his conviction on sex trafficking charges.
Combs, 54, was arrested by agents from the Department of Homeland Security Investigations at a New York City hotel on Monday, September 16. Combs had traveled to New York expecting to be arrested following a grand jury indictment.
The artist was indicted the following day in Manhattan federal court and charged with three counts of sex trafficking, racketeering conspiracy and transportation for the purposes of prostitution.
Federal prosecutors charged in an unsealed indictment that the music mogul abused women and forced them to take part in so-called “freak-off” performances “to gratify his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct.”
Federal investigators also allege the hitmaker used guns, kidnappings and arson to control his victims.
The charges outlined in the indictment date back to 2008.
Combs has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lawyer, Mark Anifilo, said, “Mr. Combs is a fighter and he intends to fight to the end.”
The Grammy Award winner was denied bail and will be held in federal custody while he awaits trial at the Brooklyn Detention Center, known as the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Sunset Park, a facility notorious for its “barbaric” and “reprehensible” conditions.
The facility also houses other high-profile figures accused of sex crimes, including R. Kelly and Ghislaine Maxwell.
Combs begged the judge to let him remain under house arrest in his Florida home while he awaits trial, promising not to let any women visit him during that time. His request was denied. He has reportedly been placed on suicide watch.
The arrest of the once-respected political party czar comes just months after his properties were searched in March as part of an ongoing investigation.
Combs has faced several lawsuits in recent months alleging sexual misconduct and abuse. He has denied all the accusations against him.
One of Combs' first accusers was his ex-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, who filed a civil lawsuit against Combs in November alleging that he raped and abused her. Combs and Ventura settled out of court the following day.
After surveillance video resurfaced in 2016 that appeared to show Combs punching Ventura in a Los Angeles hotel hallway, Combs denied any wrongdoing at the time but apologized in a since-deleted Instagram video.
