Diddy Still Has Astonishing Number of Spotify Listeners Despite His Arrest

The hip-hop star's streaming activity has seen a noticeable increase since he got into legal trouble.

By Ashley Turner

Sean "Diddy" Combs continues to maintain a substantial presence on Spotify, boasting an impressive 12,233,753 monthly listeners, according to his artist page on the platform. This remarkable figure comes in the wake of his recent arrest and the unsealing of a federal indictment against him.

The hip-hop mogul's vast musical catalog has experienced a noticeable uptick in streaming activity since his legal troubles began. Luminate, an industry data and analytics company, reported an average 18.3% increase in on-demand streams of Combs' music during the week of his arrest compared to the previous week, per the Associated Press.

George Howard, a distinguished professor of music business management at Berklee College of Music, offered insight into this phenomenon. He likened the increase in streaming to a Google search, suggesting that listeners might be exploring Combs' music out of curiosity about the person behind the allegations. "Music just becomes another piece of information as people try to comprehend the atrocities," Howard explained to the AP.

The surge in streaming numbers following controversy is not unprecedented in the music industry. A similar pattern was observed with R. Kelly, whose streaming figures nearly doubled after a documentary accused him of sexual misconduct.

Howard attributes part of this increase to the "anonymization" of streaming platforms. He points out to the outlet that the act of streaming is far less conspicuous than purchasing a physical album, especially in light of recent allegations.

Combs, who has operated under various monikers, including Puff Daddy and P. Diddy, faces serious federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering. The indictment details allegations dating back to 2008, accusing him of abusing, threatening, and coercing women for years. Combs has pleaded not guilty to these charges.

The rapper's legal troubles have had a ripple effect across his business empire. Several corporate partners, including Revolt TV and Ciroc vodka, have severed ties with Combs in the wake of the allegations.

Despite these setbacks, Combs' musical legacy remains a complex issue for the industry to navigate. His influence extends far beyond his own discography, encompassing the careers of numerous artists he has produced or signed to his Bad Boy Records label. This includes iconic figures like the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige and Usher.

The ongoing streaming activity raises questions about how the music industry should approach artists facing serious allegations. While some platforms have taken action against other controversial figures in the past, major streaming services have remained silent on the Combs situation.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the music industry and fans alike grapple with the challenge of separating the art from the artist. Torae, a rapper and SiriusXM host, believes the indictment will inevitably affect Combs' musical legacy. "You can't listen to the music the same way," he recently told Time Magazine.

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The continued streaming of Combs' music demonstrates the complicated relationship between artist misconduct and consumer behavior. As the industry watches closely, the fate of Diddy's musical legacy hangs in the balance, with streaming numbers serving as a possible barometer of public sentiment.

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org.

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