Diddy, 54, is an American rapper, producer and record executive. Born Sean Combs, he rose to fame in the 1990s under the alias Puff Daddy. He became an influential hip-hop producer, going by many names, including P. Diddy and Puffy. In 2017, he announced his preferred monikers: “Love” or “Brother Love”.

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In November, Combs’ former protege and girlfriend, the R&B singer Cassie (Cassandra Ventura), sued him, alleging years of sexual abuse, including rape. The lawsuit was settled the day after it was filed.

Four other people accused Combs of assault following Ventura’s lawsuit, including one who alleged she was gang-raped by Combs and two other men at the rapper’s Manhattan recording studio in 2003. She alleged she was 17 at the time.

A male music producer alleged Combs coerced him to solicit prostitutes and pressured him to have sex with them. Combs’ attorney at the time, Shawn Holley, has said of those allegations that “we have overwhelming, indisputable proof that his claims are complete lies”.

Combs last year denied the allegations against him, saying: “I did not do any of the awful things being alleged.”

In May, security video was released showing Combs attacking Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel hallway in 2016. In response, he released a video apology, saying he was truly sorry and his actions were inexcusable.

Support is available from the National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service at 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732).

AP with staff reporters

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