Diddy’s Troubles and Music Streams

Diddy‘s public image may be down, but the artist’s music streams are up. Luminate reports that the week following the troubled mogul’s arrest, Diddy’s streams had seen an 18.3% increase in on-demand streams compared to the week before his detainment, per AP News.

Sean Combs Arrest and Charges

Sean Combs was initially arrested on Monday (Sept. 16), with prosecutors hitting him with a RICO charge and charges of sex trafficking. During the press conference held on Tuesday (Sept. 17), the feds revealed that they have been building a case against the mogul since 2008.

Details of the Allegations

Detention and indictment memos detail some of Sean Combs’ actions as “forcing and coercing women to participate in sexual activity, including sex acts with commercial sex workers, by using physical force, financial pressure, emotional abuse, and narcotics.”

Impact on Music Streams

While a #MuteDiddy campaign started online in 2023 in response to multiple allegations against Combs, the crusade hasn’t stopped the artist’s catalog from seeing growth lately, according to Luminate’s reported increases. Unfortunately, this seems to be par for the course with Hip-Hop and R&B’s troubled elite.

R. Kelly’s Similar Experience

R. Kelly saw an increase in streaming and sales after he was convicted of racketeering, sexual exploitation of a child, and kidnapping in 2021. Rolling Stone reported that the embattled star received a 517% increase following the decision to convict him. Streams increased by 22%, while his music video streams saw an increase of 23%.

R. Kelly’s Comments on Diddy

Interestingly enough, R. Kelly spoke about Diddy’s sex trafficking allegations earlier this year.

During a conversation with Wack 100, the disgraced singer spoke about Diddy’s homes being raided by Homeland Security. He insisted that, much like Biggie once noted, federal agents were “mad because he’s flagrant.” However, he stated that Sean Combs and the public should take the investigation seriously because celebrities are now being hunted regardless if the allegations are false. 

R. Kelly’s Warning

“The sh*t is crazy. Motherf**kers out there laughing and making comedian jokes and doing all the other sh*t on the radio and everything else, but they a** could be next,” Kelly cautioned. “That’s what’s so f**ked up about it. They so stupid they don’t even realize the moves that’s going on.” 

“I don’t believe none of this sh*t. You could tell me about Puffy, you [tell me] could about anybody. You could tell me on the news, the weather, the sky is blue, I’m not gonna believe the sh*t. Cause I’m in it now, and I know what they did.”

FAQs

Q: What were the charges against Sean Combs?

A: Sean Combs was charged with a RICO charge and charges of sex trafficking.

Q: How did R. Kelly’s music streams and sales change after his conviction?

A: R. Kelly saw a significant increase in streaming and sales following his conviction, with a 517% increase reported by Rolling Stone.

Credit: www.vibe.com