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Tupac was right.
I’ve debated if I wanted to say something about Puffy, as I’ve always known him as and still called him that. I’ve heard rumors for years, decades even, that he was abusive to every woman he’d ever been associated with (including that rather famous one that Mariah Carey does not know).
The newly uncovered video only confirmed what many people have known for years – Puffy is an abusive asshole to the highest degree. And when you get so big and so powerful, you tend to think you won’t be absolved for your crimes because you feel you’re untouchable.
After all, Harvey Weinstein is still in prison for his alleged crimes. Bill Cosby is in hiding and secluded from the rest of the world. R. Kelly is in prison. Ron Jeremy, who would’ve been been in prison, is rotting the rest of his years away in a special kind of hell – he has Alzheimer’s.
I could say a lot about Puffy and I’ll spare you, the reader. After all, this is a man who is a known thief, and while he had a successful rap career, he was also known not to have written a single word of any of his raps (famously mocking his critics with ‘Don’t worry if I write rhymes/I write checks.’).
But one doesn’t get the name Puffy (for having his cheeks puffed out when he was a child because he would get so mad), for being civil and kind. It had been long-rumored of his nefarious behavior in the industry. Faith Evans was said not to be ready to record “I’ll Be Missing You” because she was still mourning her estranged husband, Christopher “Notorious BIG” Wallace. I should also mention if you pay close attention to the music video, the focus is primarily on Puffy. It is only until the very end of the video it is mentioned it’s about BIG, but I digress.
Still, despite Puffy’s ick, he was a popular media figure. He took pictures with royalty. He hosted awards. He had his famous white parties that dominated the late 90’s and early 2000’s. He was music royalty. He was pop culture royalty. He was the one that ushered in the bling culture from hip-hop to mainstream.
And with his various name changes throughout the years – Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, Love, etc., what was not to like about Puffy?
On various gossip boards, however, there were always whispers about his violent behavior. When he allegedly broke Kim Porter’s nose on a yacht trip, there was photographic evidence.
When Cassie famously shaved one side of her head, it was whispered she did it because she was beaten by Puffy. Soon, more whispers came out about their relationship and how he’d forced her to have two abortions, or when she tried to leave and escape to her parents’ home, he followed her there.
I liked Puffy’s music, but not enough to become a fan of his. When he had a Bad Boy reunion tour some years back, I wasn’t dying to see him. But still, I was cautious about him. Even when I listened to his latest album, it didn’t sound good to me. Not because I felt he was a violent misogynist, but it just wasn’t a good album.
When Cassie’s lawsuit first surfaced, I read it from page to page. To say I was disgusted is to say the very least. Many people on gossip boards and within the industry knew what she alleged was true. And given how quickly the suit was settled the very next day, there might have been some truth to them.
I’m also keenly reminded of how Puffy personally hosted the notorious Chris Brown/Rihanna reunion at his home. Of course, he had a vested interest.
Still, Puffy had his defenders and even to this day, there are still plenty who defend him. But why? If it has been rumored he’d abused all of his partners and was proven to be abusive to one, why does he need prayer? He needs jail. He needs to be underneath the jail. He needs to be hit by a fucking train.
I don’t believe Puffy is apologetic for his actions. I believe he only apologized because the statute of limitations expired and also, there was actual video proof. After all, he just denied he was abusive at all just a few months ago.
Do I think he’ll bounce back? Probably not. People and companies will be very reluctant to do any business with him. Music artists will be hesitant to record with him. Other celebrities will not want to be seen with him.
This doesn’t change the bigger picture of how abusers are coddled and victims are shamed. Meg Thee Stallion is still called a liar regardless there was an eyewitness to the entire shooting. People still think Robin Givens is a gold digger who only married Mike Tyson for money. The list goes on. If a man is admired, the woman will always be at fault despite if she did nothing. The abuser will always be protected.
I hope Cassie is somewhere safe and happy with her husband and children. Meanwhile, Puffy is out and about, galavanting to the world and smiling like nothing is amiss. He still thinks he’s above the law and everything will go away soon. You feel the smugness in his demeanor and it seeps out of the photos. This is a man with a storied history of bad and violent behavior; it’s only a matter of time before it catches up with him and that time might be now.
I hope Puffy and his various defenders can go to hell and burn for all eternity. He is the absolute worst person on earth and I hope his final years on earth will be nothing but pure hell no matter where he goes and what he does.
