Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs appears in court for a pre-trial hearing. He pleads not guilty to forced labour charges which are part of an updated indictment.

Lawyers also argue over the inclusion of the CNN leaked footage which shows Combs kicking his former girlfriend Cassie Ventura in the hallway of a hotel in 2016.

It was agreed that jury selection will begin on 5 May, with opening trial statements on 12 May.

The BBC’s New York correspondent Nada Tawfik was in the courtroom and speaks to Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need. We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1. Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige. His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence. His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016. Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims. He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence. He denies the charges.

Celeb names have been added to one of the Diddy civil lawsuits in explicit allegations over 87 pages. It names celebrity co-defendants, new complainants, alleged trafficking over state lines, has a separate Michael Jackson element, and accuses Diddy of racketeering with conspiracy.

Diddy denies all allegations against him. His team says no sane person reading this complaint could credit this story and they're already suing the lawyer who filed this for $50m over comments she made to the media on a separate case.

Criminal defence attorney Shaun Kent analyses the lawsuit with Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty. Plus historian Christian Cippolini explains the origins of the racketeering with conspiracy charge - known as RICO.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Craig Boardman Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.

His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.

His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.

Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.

He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence. He denies the charges.

Breaking news, as an updated superceding indictment is issued. An indictment is a formal document filed by the US government detailing all the crimes that P Diddy has been charged with. This updated indictment accuses Diddy of threatening staff members and forcing one into a sex act. He denies the accusations, and says many employees stand by his side. Rolling Stone’s Investigative Reporter Cheyenne Roundtree updates Anoushka Mutanda Dougherty with all the latest detail. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige. His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence. His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016. Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims. He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence. He denies the charges. The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need. We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1. Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford and Nicky Edwards Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Jay-Z files a lawsuit against the woman who accused him of rape and her lawyer Tony Buzbee, who said: "This case is baloney and has no legal merit".

Plus the new civil cases against Diddy and his mum Janice Combs. Diddy’s team has told us the case against his mum ‘is another frivolous attempt to relitigate claims that have been repeatedly thrown out of court over the past 30 years’ and a civil suit from Sara Rivers is ‘another example of false claims filed against Mr Combs’.

Rolling Stone's Investigative Reporter Cheyenne Roundtree and Criminal Defence Attorney Shaun Kent answer your questions and discuss the latest news with Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford and Nicky Edwards Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bad Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.

His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.

His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.

Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.

He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in parties known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Mr Combs denies all the charges.

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’s legal team say he’s been ‘singled out because of his race’ and ask for a charge to be dropped. Meanwhile one of his attorneys, Anthony Ricco, asks to leave the case.

Plus how unsubstantiated necromancy conspiracy theories about Diddy have gone wild on social media.

Diddy remains in jail, awaiting trial on three federal charges of transportation for prostitution, sex trafficking and racketeering with conspiracy. He denies all charges.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty is joined by Cheyenne Roundtree who’s Senior Investigative Reporter at Rolling Stone Magazine and Criminal Defence Attorney Shaun Kent.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bay Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.

His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.

His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.

Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.

He is accused of the federal charges of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil.

Mr Combs denies all the charges.

Does hip hop have a problem? Diddy denies the federal offences he’s accused of, but has previously apologised for physically assaulting Cassie Ventura, seen in a video widely shared online. That moment of violence and other incidents involving high-profile stars mean there’s a spotlight on the wider genre.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African-American studies who runs courses on the history of hip-hop at Duke University, North Carolina; along with Dr Jason Rawls - known as J. Rawls - who’s assistant professor of hip-hop at Ohio State University and a musician, producer and DJ.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bay Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.

His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.

His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.

Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.

In his criminal case, he faces federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, and is accused of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Mr Combs denies all the charges.

What is sex trafficking?

The rapper Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs is currently in a New York prison awaiting trial in May on charges of sex trafficking, transportation for prostitution and racketeering with conspiracy. He denies all the allegations.

We’re going to be examining what each of these federal charges mean over the coming weeks, hearing from experts and people affected in other cases involving these charges. We’re starting with sex trafficking.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty speaks to Elizabeth Geddes who prosecuted R. Kelly, Dr Marcel Van Der Watt, president at the National Centre on Sexual Exploitation in the US, along with Lala Appleberry from Survivor Network NC.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs - who has also gone by the names Puffy, Puff Daddy, P Diddy, Love, and Brother Love - emerged into the hip-hop scene in the 1990s. He founded Bay Boy Records, which launched the careers of the Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J Blige.

His current legal issues began when he was sued by his ex-girlfriend Casandra Ventura, also known as Cassie, in late 2023. She accused him of violently abusing and raping her. That lawsuit was settled for an undisclosed amount a day after it was filed, with Mr Combs maintaining his innocence.

His controversial history with Ms Ventura resurfaced in 2024, when CCTV footage emerged showing Mr Combs kicking his former girlfriend as she lay on a hotel hallway floor in 2016.

Multiple people have filed lawsuits accusing Mr Combs of sexual assault, with accusations dating back to 1991. He denies all claims.

In his criminal case, he faces federal charges of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, fraud or coercion, and transportation to engage in prostitution, and is accused of kidnapping, drugging and coercing women into sexual activities, sometimes by using firearms or threatening them with violence.

In a raid on his Los Angeles mansion, police found supplies that they said were intended for use in orgies known as “freak offs”, including drugs and more than 1,000 bottles of baby oil. Mr Combs denies all the charges.

As Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs awaits trial on charges of kidnapping, drugging and sex trafficking women, industry insiders who knew him during his meteoric rise in the 1990s speak exclusively to the BBC about their experiences.

Daniel Evans, who worked at Bad Boy Records between 1994 and 1997, has told the BBC’s Investigations team that women were flown in for sex.

He and other employees also recall a culture of big money, threats of violence and sex in the studios of Diddy’s Bad Boy record label. Diddy denies all the allegations.

Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty hears about the findings from BBC Investigations Correspondent Rianna Croxford.

The Diddy on Trial podcast is here to investigate the rumours, confront the theories, and give you the answers that you need.

We also want YOU to be part of the conversation. Have you any burning questions about the cases or the upcoming trial? Heard a theory that doesn’t sit right with you? Get in touch now via WhatsApp: 0330 123 555 1.

Archive from: Graham Norton Show on BBC 1 Entertainment Tonight MTV News

Presenter: Anoushka Mutanda-Dougherty Investigations Producer: Larissa Kennelly Series Producer: Laura Jones Sound Design: Richard Hannaford Production Coordinator: Hattie Valentine Editor: Clare Fordham

Commissioning Editor: Rhian Roberts Assistant Commissioner: Will Drysdale Commissioning Producer: Adam Eland Commissioning Assistant Producer: Rechmial Miller