The aftermath of Diddy’s indictment

What’s the cultural impact of Diddy’s indictment amid the ongoing #MeToo movement?

By Sheridan Hunter

September 17, 2024 at 6:56PM PDT

Hip-hop music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night following a grand jury indictment on sex trafficking and racketeering charges. The indictment comes after years of abuse allegations.

The indictment alleges that since 2008, Combs has abused, threatened and coerced women and others. It also alleges he led a racketeering conspiracy that engaged in sex trafficking, forced labor and kidnapping, among other things.

For fans of hip-hop, the indictment is heartbreaking -- even if not unexpected. Combs’ former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, filed a lawsuit last year accusing him of abuse. Earlier this year, CNN obtained a 2016 hotel surveillance video in which Combs is seen physically assaulting Ventura.

We took to the USC campus to gauge the larger cultural impact that Diddy’s indictment is having on hip-hop amid the resurrecting #MeToo movement.

Jade Gibbs, a junior majoring in cinema and media studies, said Diddy’s indictment has been a long time coming.

“I’ve heard a lot of rumors about his activities just through [being] a pop culture junkie,” Gibbs said. “But to see it actually come to fruition, and see him actually get charged with...and have consequences for his actions is honestly very vindicating.”

In Gibbs’ eyes, the indictment is just the tip of the iceberg. She hopes it will encourage more people to speak out about sexual abuse.

“I think that the more and more that they press to get justice for not only Cassie...or just for people in general that were on Bad Boy Records, because I feel like there’s a lot more stories that we are not hearing, either due to NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) or just due to being scared to say something and in fear of retaliation,” she said. “I’m just glad that they feel comfortable enough to come out and speak out against it after being silenced for so long.”

The indictment of the hip-hop icon has a particular impact on the Black community at large, said Miki Turner, a Professor of Professional Practice of Journalism at USC.

“You know, I think any time something like this happens to a member of the Black community, it hits us all in different ways,” Turner said. “I think honestly, everyone’s first reaction is always, how could this happen? Why did this happen, and...what message is this sending to our kids?”

Then there’s the ongoing conversation about sexual harassment and violence against women.

“So that’s what...will be really interesting to see,” Turner said. “And you know, what it does to the #MeToo movement? That’s a movement that really is never going to die because there are still people out there doing nefarious things to women in the entertainment industry and in the political arena and other places. So, you know, this is just one more incident.”

When it comes to separating art from the artist, Turner thinks this might prove difficult.

“I think this is going to be one of those situations where as creative as he’s been, as successful as he’s been, as innovative as he’s been, this is going to be the thing that people remember,” she said. “If he goes down for this, which it looks like he very well may go down for it, that’s going to be his lasting legacy. So, you know, that’s a shame. Yeah, it really is a shame.”

Diddy was denied bail after pleading not guilty on the sex trafficking charges. For now, he will remain in custody.