Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been acquitted of the most serious charges in his federal sex trafficking trial. Will the once-celebrated music mogul see his business empire thrive? Associated Press reports it might not be a slick path back to the top for him. From Sean John to Bad Boy Records and his music on streaming, let’s get into what’s up with Diddy’s fortune.
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When It All Falls Down?
While the jury let Diddy off on the racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges, they convicted him on prostitution offenses. The jury found him guilty of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters. That’s a felony violation of the federal Mann Act. He will remain in custody while he awaits sentencing. Over seven weeks, prosecutors painted a dark portrait of Diddy. Witnesses alleged a pattern of violence and detailed drug-fueled sex parties, Combs reportedly called “freak-offs” or “hotel nights.”
The trial reshaped the public’s view of two decades of millions supporting his “Black excellence” milestones. These days, Brother Love—his last nickname before the trial inspired “Diddler”—is a MEME. He’s a baby oil ad come to life and the pause before a sexually charged joke. He’s the hot topic at the barbecue, the diss thrown at the homeboy doing a little too much.
With that in mind, doors have closed on Diddy. What about the money, you ask, roommates? Here is a closer look at how Combs’ business portfolio and image have taken a hit under the pressure of the civil sexual abuse allegations.
Are Diddy’s Millions At Risk?
Sean Combs has been sued by multiple people who claim to have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. He has already paid $20 million to settle with one accuser: Cassie. Most of those lawsuits, though, are still pending. It isn’t clear how many, if any, will be successful, or how much it will cost Combs to defend himself in court. Combs and his lawyers have denied all the misconduct allegations and dismissed his accusers as out for a big payday.
Federal prosecutors had informed the court that if Combs is convicted, they would seek to have him forfeit any assets, including property “used to commit or facilitate” his crimes. It was not immediately apparent following the verdict how prosecutors would proceed. It’s also unclear whether asset forfeiture would be part of a sentence imposed by the judge.
What Has Happened To Diddy’s Business Empire?
Before Combs was arrested and charged, his major business ventures had collapsed. He stepped down and later fully divested from Revolt TV, which was founded in 2013. The network offered a mix of programming focused on hip-hop culture, R&B music, social justice and documentaries. He also reportedly lost a Hulu reality series deal. Additionally, his once-iconic fashion brand Sean John vanished from Macy’s shelves.
After surveillance footage surfaced last year showing Sean Combs physically assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie in 2016, consequences mounted. New York City revoked his ceremonial key. Peloton pulled his music. Howard University rescinded his honorary degree, and his charter school in Harlem cut ties.
Last year, Combs settled a legal dispute with Diageo, withdrawing a lawsuit filed as part of a settlement with the London-based spirits giant. The withdrawal made the company the sole owner of Ciroc and DeLeon.
What Happened To Other Businesses Like Sean John?
Sean John, founded in 1998, has gone largely dormant, with its presence disappearing from major retailers like Macy’s. There are no clear signs of a relaunch on the horizon.
In 2023, Sean Combs launched Empower Global. It’s an online marketplace designed to uplift Black-owned businesses and strengthen the Black dollar. He positioned the platform as a modern-day “Black Wall Street,” backing it with a reported $20 million of his investment. The platform debuted with 70 brands and planned to expand by onboarding new Black-owned businesses monthly. It aimed to feature more than 200 by year’s end.
However, as 2023 ended, several brands cut ties with Empower Global. Reports said some businesses cited disappointing performance and growing concerns over the misconduct allegations surrounding Combs.
What About Bad Boy Records?
While many of his ventures have unraveled, his music catalog remains intact—for now. Bad Boy Records may be synonymous with 1990s icons like The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e, and 112, but Combs kept the label relevant before his arrest with high-profile releases.
The label backed Machine Gun Kelly’s ‘Mainstream Sellout’ under the Bad Boy umbrella in 2022. Then, in 2023, Combs dropped ‘The Love Album: Off the Grid,’ his first solo studio album in nearly two decades. Janelle Monáe released her critically acclaimed project ‘The Age of Pleasure’ through Bad Boy. Both albums earned Grammy nominations, with Monáe’s effort recognized in the prestigious record of the year category.
Before the release of ‘The Love Album,’ Combs made headlines by returning Bad Boy publishing rights to several former artists and songwriters. The move came years after criticisms about how he handled their contracts.
To be clear, Bad Boy Records remains operational. However, the label has been significantly shaken by Diddy’s legal firestorm. It hasn’t announced any major upcoming releases.
Last week, his son, King Combs, and Ye (formerly Kanye West) released a surprise EP called ‘Never Stop’ through Goodfellas Entertainment. The project shows support for Diddy.
How Is Diddy’s Music Holding Up On Streaming?
Despite the last year and seven months of this chapter in Sean Combs’ story, his music is still widely available on major streaming platforms. That list includes Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. None of the streamers have publicly addressed whether they plan to adjust how they feature his music amid the conviction.
It’s also worth noting that Diddy’s music saw a roughly 20% boost in U.S. streaming between April and May 2025, the biggest monthly spike this year, according to Luminate. The jump coincided with key moments in the trial, including testimonies from Cassie and Kid Cudi. However, there was a slight drop-off with a 5 to 10% decrease in June compared to the previous month’s streams.
Streaming accounts for a portion of an artist’s revenue and is calculated through a complicated process called “stream share.” Most artists see very little pay from digital services, and it’s unclear how much Combs is making off of his music.
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Associated Entertainment Writer Jonathan Landrum Jr. and Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this report.
What Do You Think Roomies?
