Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs steps down as Revolt chair amid sexual assault allegations
Music mogul and entrepreneur Sean "Diddy" Combs arrives at the Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, May 15, 2022. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)
Hip-hop legend and music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs announced he has temporarily stepped down from his position as the CEO of Revolt amid the sexual assault allegations against him in recent weeks.
“Sean Combs has stepped down from his position as chairman of Revolt,” the media network said in a statement on Tuesday posted through their various social media accounts.
“While Mr. Combs has previously had no operational or day-to-day role in the business, this decision helps to ensure that Revolt remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people throughout this country and the African diaspora.”
“Our focus has always been one that reflects our commitment to the collective journey of Revolt – one that is not driven by any individual, but by the shared efforts and values of our entire team on behalf of advancing, elevating and championing our culture – and that continues,” the statement concludes.
Revolt, co-founded by Combs and Andy Schuon in 2013, is a multimedia venture that focuses on Black storytelling within the urban and hip-hop communities.
Programs on the platform include the “Drink Champs” podcast, hosted by rapper Norega (N.O.R.E) and DJ EFN, “Revolt Black News,” and “Caresha Please,” a talk show hosted by rapper Yung Miami, one-half of the Miami-based hip-hop duo “City Girls.”
When reached for comment on the matter, a Revolt spokesperson pointed The Hill to the statement they shared on Combs’ decision.
The announcement comes weeks after musical artist and actress Cassie filed a federal lawsuit against Combs, her former boss and romantic partner, alleging that he raped her, physically abused her, and forced her to engage in sex acts with male sex workers during her decade-long relationship with Combs — allegations he denies.
Cassie, whose real name is Cassandra Ventura, and Combs reached a settlement a day after Ventura’s lawsuit against Combs was first reported.
“I have decided to resolve this matter amicably on terms that I have some level of control,” Ventura said in a statement at the time. “I want to thank my family, fans and lawyers for their unwavering support.”
In a separate statement, Combs said: “We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love.”
Combs, who has been credited for his influence and pivotal role in shaping the hip-hop scene through his record label, Bad Boy Records, was also hit with two separate lawsuits last week, according to Variety.
The lawsuit, filed by Joi Dickerson-Neal under New York’s now-defunct Adult Survivors Act, alleges that Combs, widely known for establishing artists such as Mary J. Blige, the Notorious B.I.G., and Faith Evans, “drugged, sexually assaulted and abused” her and was a victim of “revenge porn,” which was created and disturbed by the mogul himself.
Another lawsuit filed by a Jane Doe alleges that Combs and R&B singer Aaron Hall took turns raping her and her friends at Hall’s apartment in the early 1990s, Variety reported.
Aaron Hall, a member of the New-jack Swing R&B trio “Guy,” was signed to Uptown Records, an urban record label founded by the late music mogul Andre Harrell where Combs served as an A&R executive before launching Bad Boy.
Combs, 54, has denied the latest allegation against him, with a spokesperson telling Variety that both lawsuits were “fabricated claims” against the music mogul.