Notorious B.I.G.’s mother Voletta Wallace said she was “sick” to her stomach after she got to know about the gravity of the sexual and physical abuse allegations that were brought against embattled music executive Sean “Diddy” Combs.
Wallace, whose late son was signed to Combs’ Bad Boy Records at the time of his shooting death in 1997, sternly rebuked Combs after Rolling Stone recently published a story about the 54-year-old’s alleged history of violent abuse after a six-month investigation.
The publication from the news outlet also came after CNN shared a 2016 video that showed Combs assaulting his ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura at a hotel.
“I’m sick to my stomach,” Wallace said in response to the allegations brought against her late son’s former partner. “I’m praying for Cassie. I’m praying for his mother. I don’t want to believe the things that I’ve heard, but I’ve seen [the hotel video]. I pray that he apologizes to her.
“I hope that I see Sean one day and the only thing I want to do is slap the daylights out of him. And you can quote me on that,” she continued. “Because I liked him. I didn’t want to believe all the awful things, but I’m so ashamed and embarrassed.”
The publication by Rolling Stone detailed Combs’ history of violent abuse that dates back to his time as a student at Howard University in the late 1980s. Individuals who were initially close to him also claimed that the Notorious B.I.G. regarded Combs as a “corny executive” and was making arrangements to leave his record label before his shooting death.
Sources also told the news outlet that Combs took advantage of the shock and sorrow that ensued after the rapper’s death and forced his team to propel B.I.G.’s upcoming Life After Death album to a chart-topping status. Sources further claimed that Combs shot down a request for the late rapper to feature on the cover of Rolling Stone.
“I was telling Sean, ‘Let’s make it Biggie. You still have a chance [for a cover in the future],’” Kirk Burrowes, Bad Boy’s co-founding partner and president, told the news outlet. “He’s like, ‘No, he’s dead. I’m putting out [Combs’ debut album, No Way Out] in July. I need to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.’”
And though Wallace did not comment on that allegation, she said Combs needs to render an apology to Cassie and his mother. “I hope to God he sits her down and spills his guts and apologize to her,” she said.
Prior to the release of the video, Combs had initially denied allegations of rape and abuse from Cassie. Combs and Cassie started dating in 2007 and had an on-and-off relationship for over 10 years. The American music mogul signed Cassie to his label in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37.
Cassie, 37, initially filed a lawsuit in New York federal court alleging that Combs brought her into his “ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle” after she met him.
The lawsuit further alleged that Combs was “prone to uncontrollable rage” and physically abused her during their relationship including punching, beating, kicking and stomping on her. It alleged that Combs urged Cassie to use drugs and forced her to have sex with other men while he masturbated and filmed. The lawsuit was later dismissed after both parties reached an undisclosed settlement.
Combs’ legal woes further mounted following the circulation of the video as model Crystal McKinney became the latest person to file a sexual assault lawsuit against the 54-year-old. That’s a total of six sexual assault lawsuits that have been brought against the rapper and music executive.
In March, the agents with Homeland Security also raided Combs’ Miami and Los Angeles homes in connection with a federal sex trafficking investigation. CNN on Wednesday reported that federal investigators were making arrangements for Combs’ accusers to appear before a New York City grand jury.