An investigative article published by Rolling Stone on Tuesday has brought to light concerning allegations against music mogul Diddy, shedding new insights into his behavior during his time at Howard University, Uptown Records, and Bad Boy Records.
One of the most striking revelations in the article comes from former Bad Boy co-founder and president Kirk Burrowes, who recounted a pivotal moment when Rolling Stone proposed featuring the late Notorious B.I.G. on a cover story in his honor.
Burrowes claims he urged Diddy to allow Biggie to grace the cover, but alleges that Diddy selfishly seized the opportunity for himself to promote his debut album, “No Way Out.” Despite Burrowes’ plea to prioritize Biggie, Diddy purportedly insisted that as Biggie was “dead,” the cover would be better suited for him, given his imminent album release.
“I was telling Sean, ‘Let’s make it Biggie. You still have a chance [for a cover in the future],'” Burrowes recalled. “He’s like ‘No, he’s dead. I’m putting out [No Way Out] in July. I need to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.”
As a result, Diddy secured the 1997 cover, adorned in a fur coat, Versace underwear, and a Chicago White Sox fitted cap bearing “B.I.G.” on his chest. The article also highlighted a subsequent interview where Diddy allegedly attributed a significant portion of his album’s sales to Biggie’s passing.
“I think his passing added to the fame,” Diddy purportedly told Rolling Stone.
“At least 2 million [of the nearly 5 million copies of No Way Out] sold were due to [his death], straight up. And that doesn’t necessarily feel good, but that’s the reality.”
Furthermore, the article delved into tensions between Diddy and Biggie, revealing Biggie’s purported intention to gain sole control of his career before his tragic murder. According to Biggie’s friend and photographer Monique Bunn, “[Biggie] was absolutely about to leave Puff. I know for a fact [because] he told me that.”
The strain in their relationship extended to legal battles over Biggie’s publishing rights, with Diddy allegedly refusing to relinquish control.
“I will never give it up until I’m dead and my bones are crushed into powder,” Diddy reportedly declared to lawyers, as detailed in the book “The Big Payback: The History of the Business of Hip-Hop.”
