From behind bars, disgraced hip-hop mogul Sean 'Diddy' Combs has launched a fierce attack on a forthcoming Netflix documentary series about his life and legal downfall, branding it a "shameful hit piece" executive produced by his long-time rival, 50 Cent.
Prison Statement Condemns 'Stolen' Footage
In a statement issued through a spokesperson, Combs, who is currently serving a four-year sentence in New Jersey for prostitution-related charges, has accused the streaming giant of unlawfully using private footage. The series, titled Sean Combs: The Reckoning, is scheduled to debut on Netflix on 2 December.
The mogul's camp claims the documentary incorporates "private moments, pre-indictment material from an unfinished project and conversations involving legal strategy" that were never authorised for release. "Today's GMA teaser confirms that Netflix relied on stolen footage," the statement asserted, adding that Combs's legal team has been in contact with the company and its CEO, Ted Sarandos.
50 Cent's 'Personal Vendetta' or Public Service?
Combs attributed the series to 50 Cent's "personal vendetta" against him, a rivalry that dates back years, including a 2006 diss track. However, when questioned on Good Morning America, 50 Cent, real name Curtis Jackson, denied personal motives. "It's not personal," he said, suggesting a nobler aim: to ensure the hip-hop community was not seen as condoning Combs's alleged behaviours.
Series director Alexandria Stapleton, who appeared alongside Jackson, told the Hollywood Reporter that "the footage was obtained completely legally." She described the project as a "mirror" reflecting the public's tendency to idolise celebrities, hoping it would serve as a wake-up call.
A Mogul's Dramatic Fall from Grace
The docuseries arrives in the wake of Combs's dramatic legal collapse. After a high-profile federal trial this summer featuring emotional testimony from his ex-partner Cassie, Combs was convicted on two charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of more severe sex trafficking and racketeering charges that could have resulted in a life sentence.
In October, he was sentenced to four years and two months in prison. With potential reductions for programme participation, his projected release date is May 2028. His troubles are ongoing; last month, Los Angeles authorities confirmed a new investigation into a 2020 sexual battery allegation against him.
The new teaser for the series includes a clip from 10 September 2024, showing a beleaguered Combs in a hotel room stating, "We're losing," as his federal case advanced.
