Sean “Diddy” Combs, 55, the hip-hop icon and founder of Bad Boy Records, is the focus of a high-profile federal trial that commenced May 5, 2025, in Manhattan. Charged with racketeering, sex trafficking and transporting for prostitution, Combs is accused of running a criminal enterprise that, for two decades, had forced women and men into drug-fueled ”Freak Offs” — what the U.S. attorney would describe as an “epochal scale of assaultive behavior.” Authorities claim these encounters involved blackmail, physical violence and forced sex, with Combs reportedly using recordings of many encounters to exploit his victims.
The case has gripped public attention, with testimony from Combs’ former girlfriend, R&B singer Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, emerging as a cornerstone of the prosecution’s case. Ventura, who dated Combs from 2007 to 2018, has detailed years of emotional and physical abuse, including being forced into sexual acts during “Freak Offs.” Her 2023 civil lawsuit against Combs, settled swiftly, accused him of rape and assault, claims bolstered by a 2016 hotel surveillance video showing Combs attacking her.
Amid the trial’s early days, Louisiana rapper Boosie Badazz (born Torence Ivy Hatch Jr.) ignited a firestorm with his outspoken defense of Combs. On May 13, 2025, Boosie took to X, posting,
“ALL OF THESE YEARS OF SEX PARTIES N YOU MEAN TO TELL ME SHE DIDNT ENJOY IT. IM CONVINCED SHE ENJOYED IT. IM PRETTY SURE SHE CAME DURING THOSE FREAK OFFS.”
He argued that Ventura’s long-term relationship with Combs and participation in these events suggested consent, framing the case as a domestic abuse issue rather than sex trafficking.
“IF ANYTHING, THIS SHOULD BE A DOMESTIC ABUSE CASE NOT A SEX TRAFFICKING CASE,”
he wrote.
Boosie’s remarks echo his earlier defense in September 2024, when Combs was arrested. At the time,
he posted,
“I feel DIDDY IN JAIL FOR BASICALLY DOING WHAT EVERY OTHER FAMOUS ARTIST HAS DONE ‘FLEW B*TCHES OUT FOR 3 SOMES’ HE JUST FREAKIER!!”
He suggested that flying women for sexual encounters is standard in celebrity culture and warned that such charges could target other hip-hop artists.
“I’m beginning to feel that this ‘sex trafficking’ allegation. WILL BE USED TO BRING DOWN HIP HOP ARTIST N CELEBRITIES,”
he added.
Ventura’s testimony paints a starkly different picture. In court, she described being coerced into “Freak Offs,” fearing Combs’ volatile temper and threats of blackmail with recorded videos. She recounted grueling events lasting up to four days, leaving her dehydrated and sleep-deprived. One disturbing claim involved a male escort urinating in her mouth during a “Freak Off,” an act Ventura said she did not consent to, despite Boosie’s claim that she
“LIKED THE PISS N HER MOUTH!!”
Ventura’s allegations are supported by evidence like the 2016 video, which Combs apologized for but denied reflected broader criminal behavior. Prosecutors argue that Combs used drugs, threats, and his influence to ensure compliance, with over 40 civil lawsuits accusing him of sexual violence, some involving minors.
Boosie’s comments sparked swift backlash on social media and in news outlets like TMZ and HotNewHipHop. Critics accused him of victim-blaming and minimizing serious allegations. One X user wrote,
“So basically you’re admitting to being involved with sex trafficking also? Noted!”
referencing Boosie’s past admission of hiring sex workers for his underage sons. Another called his remarks “insensitive and misogynistic,” arguing they normalize exploitative behavior.
Yet, some fans supported Boosie’s view, agreeing that Ventura’s long-term relationship with Combs implied consent. This divide highlights the tension between loyalty to cultural figures and accountability for alleged crimes. Community notes on X clarified the charges, listing arson, kidnapping, and forced labor alongside sex trafficking, countering Boosie’s narrative.
Boosie’s defense is one of the few public endorsements of Combs, with most celebrities, including Jennifer Lopez and Ray J, staying silent or distancing themselves. His stance reflects a broader debate about consent and power dynamics in the music industry, drawing comparisons to cases like Jeffrey Epstein’s. Legal analysts note that Boosie’s view—that celebrity behavior excuses coercion—misaligns with how courts define trafficking, which hinges on force, fraud, or coercion, not just participation.
