How Jay Z and P Diddy's staggering empires nearly crumbled years before rape allegations
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Standing side by side on stage in New York, this was the moment Jay-Z and P Diddy must have realised they had it all - money, power, their own empires and the one thing that really mattered - a long friendship. For more than 30 years the two rappers have had their fates intertwined. But it was during this emotional onstage reunion in 2016, when Diddy, who was touring to celebrate 20 years of his record label, claimed to know the real secret of their powerful relationship.
“Whenever I get in trouble, this is the one I call,” said Diddy. “This is my strategist right here. This is my brother!” Indeed, since the 90s the pair have had each other’s backs and risked their reputations and empires for each other. Jay-Z even claimed his one and only conviction was the price he paid for being Diddy’s pal. Eight years later, many have speculated about where that bond now stands. And it's about to face its biggest test.
Last week, Jay-Z was named in a civil lawsuit alleging he and Diddy spiked a 13-year-old girl’s drink before taking turns raping her at a house party following the MTV Video Music Awards in 2000. Both Jay-Z, worth $2.5billion, and Diddy, worth $400million, vehemently denied the claims, with Jay, real name Shawn Carter, publicly calling it a “blackmail attempt” and subsequently filing a motion to reveal the accuser's identity.
Diddy, real name Sean Combs, is currently in jail and facing dozens of unrelated drugging, rape, assault and sex trafficking charges. Diddy has denied the allegations against him and there is no suggestion any of his celebrity friends knew of any suspected wrongdoing. His "strategist" Jay-Z however has been notably silent since his friend's arrest.
