Wednesday, April 2, 2025

Diddy Accused of ‘Freak-Off’ Abuse; LeBron, Beyoncé, Jay-Z Among Witnesses Denying Presence

Sean “Diddy” Combs, shown here in a file photo, is being sued by a Florida man who alleges he was assaulted and humiliated at a 2015 Miami party. The lawsuit claims several celebrities, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z and LeBron James, were present; all have denied attending or witnessing the alleged events and are not named as defendants.
Sean "Diddy" Combs is facing a new lawsuit that alleges shocking and graphic abuse, adding to a growing list of accusations against the embattled music mogul.

In the complaint, filed in Florida, a man named Manzaro Joseph accuses Combs of sexual assault, trafficking, and public humiliation during a 2015 party in Miami. The event, which allegedly took place at a property owned by Gloria and Emilio Estefan on Star Island, was held in honor of Christian "King" Combs' birthday.

Joseph claims he was drugged and taken to the party in a compromised state. Once there, he alleges that Gloria Estefan saw him in distress and asked for an ambulance to be called, but Emilio intervened and removed her from the situation. He further alleges he was led through a tunnel to Combs' mansion by former adult actress Adria English and was subjected to public degradation while wearing a leather mask and a locking sex device.

Joseph's lawsuit alleges he was paraded in front of guests, stripped, and made to wear a thong and a mask with a sex toy protruding from it. He claims that several high-profile figures, including Beyoncé, Jay-Z, LeBron James, and jeweler Jacob Arabo, were present and witnessed parts of the incident.

All named public figures not listed as defendants in the suit have strongly denied the allegations or confirmed they were not in attendance:
  • LeBron James' spokesperson stated, "This is demonstrably false and doesn’t even merit a response. A basic internet search shows LeBron was playing for the Cleveland Cavaliers and never in Miami in April 2015."
  • Jay-Z's attorney, Alex Spiro, told PEOPLE that his client was engaged in verifiable public activities outside Florida during the alleged events.
  • A representative for Gloria and Emilio Estefan said they had no involvement in the incident and confirmed that no parties were held at the property from 2012 to 2019.
  • Brendan Paul, another individual mentioned in the filing, was reportedly still in high school at the time and has never been to West Palm Beach, according to his attorney.

A spokesperson for Combs dismissed the allegations entirely, saying, "This complaint demonstrates the depraved lengths plaintiffs will travel to garner headlines in pursuit of a payday. No sane person reading this complaint could credit this story. Mr. Combs looks forward to having his day in court."

The suit is one of several Combs currently faces. He has denied all previous accusations of misconduct and is scheduled to stand trial in May on federal sex crime charges.

Gloria Estefan, Beyoncé, Jay-Z, LeBron James, and Jacob Arabo are not named as defendants in the suit. Adria English and Emilio Estefan are listed as co-defendants alongside Combs.

This latest legal filing adds to mounting scrutiny surrounding Combs' behavior and the celebrity circles historically associated with his events. More legal responses and court motions are expected in the coming weeks.

Cardi B Moves Into Ownership With Fashion, Beauty Brands Backed by Revolve

Anthony Kane, via Wikimedia Commons

Cardi B is stepping into a new era — one defined not by chart-topping singles, but by legacy, ownership, and long-term vision. The Grammy-winning rapper has announced a high-stakes joint venture with California-based retail powerhouse Revolve Group to launch her first fully owned fashion and beauty brands.

It’s a power move rooted in intention. In a post shared on X, the Bronx native outlined the inspiration behind her next chapter: “Coming from a Caribbean family, the goal is always to OWN!” she wrote. “I want to leave [my kids] with something they can carry for generations to come, something that their mother built from the ground up.”

This isn’t a licensing deal or endorsement. Cardi, born Belcalis Almánzar, has spent years behind the scenes working through major collaborations with brands like Fashion Nova, Reebok and NYX. Now, she’s channeling that experience into a venture she can call her own — shaped by her values, aesthetic and business acumen.

The partnership with Revolve aims to establish a billion-dollar multibrand company, one built to last. It’s a real business play, backed by long-term goals, hands-on involvement, and a team that includes creative director and longtime manager Patientce Foster, stylist Kollin Carter, and PR veterans Jennifer Walker and Adam Drawas.


“This is a lifetime brand,” Foster said in a recent WWD cover story.

“I don’t want my kids to be fighting with record labels on how much percent they’re going to get with my music,” Cardi added. “I’m doing this for me. Not for everybody else.”

The first collection will feature a fashion line inspired by Cardi’s signature style — form-fitting, body-positive silhouettes, real sizing and quality materials. “If it’s a size small, it should be a true size small,” she said, referencing her early days hustling for clothes that actually fit. “I want people to come back.”

Beauty is also in the works, marking Revolve’s first move into that space. It’s a natural extension for Cardi, whose bold glam has become part of her cultural impact — from elaborate nails to dramatic makeup and hair. She says the goal is to offer products that reflect her personal style but also meet high performance and quality standards.

Executives at Revolve — including co-founders Michael Mente and Mike Karanikolas, and chief brand officer Raissa Gerona — see the partnership as a long-term play with global reach. With a fan base that spans continents, Cardi’s influence gives Revolve a chance to grow internationally, particularly in beauty.

“From Paris runways to the Bronx to Coachella, Cardi moves culture,” Gerona said. “This isn’t just about style — it’s about scale.”

The venture represents a broader shift in celebrity entrepreneurship — from endorsements to equity. With both sides aligned on strategy and substance, the launch stands to redefine what celebrity ownership can look like in fashion and beauty.

The first products from Cardi B’s joint venture with Revolve are expected later this year.

Tuesday, April 1, 2025

Hip-Hop Roundup: Diddy Lawsuit Ends, Sauce Walka Shooting Suspect Identified, Young Scooter Dead at 39

Rapper Young Scooter, seen here in a still from a YouTube video, died March 28 after sustaining injuries while fleeing police in Atlanta. His death is one of several major developments rocking the hip-hop world this week, alongside a lawsuit dismissal for Sean “Diddy” Combs and new details in the Sauce Walka shooting.
With less than two months until his federal trial on sex trafficking and racketeering charges, Sean “Diddy” Combs received some relief Monday as a federal judge dismissed one of numerous civil lawsuits filed against the embattled hip-hop mogul. U.S. District Judge Lewis J. Liman dismissed a 1995 rape lawsuit brought by an anonymous plaintiff, Jane Doe, after she failed to refile the complaint under her real name. Liman previously denied Doe’s request to remain anonymous, citing a lack of evidence of specific harm from public disclosure.

U.S. District Judge Lewis Liman in New York today dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit against Sean “Diddy” Combs at the plaintiff’s request, following the judge’s order that the woman cannot proceed anonymously.

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— Meghann Cuniff (@meghanncuniff.bsky.socialMarch 31, 2025 at 4:16 PM

The dismissal was seen as a legal win for Combs, whose spokesperson claimed it was the second such lawsuit dismissed outright, criticizing plaintiffs for hiding behind anonymity. Attorney Tony Buzbee, representing numerous plaintiffs against Combs, acknowledged the dismissal, highlighting the emotional toll and fears plaintiffs face in high-profile cases. Combs remains incarcerated at New York’s Metropolitan Detention Center, awaiting his criminal trial beginning May 12. He continues to deny all charges against him.

In related hip-hop news, authorities confirmed Monday that Jayden Dandridge, a suspect in the March 22 shooting of rapper Sauce Walka (Albert Mondane) in Memphis, Tennessee, was found dead in Houston. Memphis police continue searching for a second suspect, Kevin Brown, who faces charges including first-degree murder. The targeted shooting critically injured Sauce Walka and resulted in the death of rapper Letorian "Sayso P" Hunt. Sauce Walka, known for hits like “Texas Cyclone” and collaborations with Megan Thee Stallion and Travis Scott, is currently recovering after being hospitalized.

Meanwhile, the Atlanta hip-hop scene is mourning the loss of rapper Young Scooter, born Kenneth Edward Bailey, who died Friday night after sustaining injuries while fleeing police. According to the Atlanta Police Department, officers responded to reports of a domestic dispute and possible gunfire at a residence in the Lakewood Heights neighborhood. Bailey fled, injuring his leg severely after jumping fences during the chase. Despite immediate aid from responding officers and emergency personnel, Bailey died shortly after at Grady Marcus Trauma Center. No police gunfire was involved, and the exact cause of death remains under investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Young Scooter was known for influential mixtapes like "Street Lottery" and collaborations with artists including Future and Gucci Mane.

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