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(NewsNation) — Last week, Howard University cut ties with alum Sean “Diddy” Combs after video surfaced of the rapper beating his ex, R&B singer Cassie.
In a statement, the university said it revoked Combs’ honorary degree and noted, “Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor. … (Howard) revokes all honors and privileges associated with the degree. Accordingly, the Board has directed that his name be removed from all documents listing honorary degree recipients of Howard University.”
In addition, the Associated Press reported the university also cut financial ties with Combs, returning a $1 million contribution, ending the scholarship program and dissolving a 2023 pledge agreement with the Sean Combs Foundation.
So why does Combs still have a key to New York City?
Mayor Eric Adams, a friend of Combs, issued the key to the city in November 2023, two months before Cassie Ventura sued Diddy for sexual assault, trafficking and abuse (charges Diddy denied but settled anyway for a reported $30 million).
But Adams kept silent — even after five more lawsuits from women alleging abuse were filed.
It was only after the video surfaced of Combs kicking and punching Ventura came to light that Adams said he was “looking into” revoking the key (a relatively simple matter).
Yet Combs still has the honorific key, and some are wondering if this is Adams’ way of slow-rolling the proceeds and standing by his pal.
A rep for Adams didn’t return emails for comment.
Adams may be the only former “friend” subtly standing by the rapper as others have come out and slammed him.
Bad Boy artist Mark Curry told NewsNation, “It’s just the chickens coming home to roost. This is just what happens. It’s karma,” and Aubrey O’Day, whose former band was managed by Combs and his label Bad Boy Records, posted, “What you sow, you shall reap” to her Instagram stories over a headline about the raid on Combs’ homes.
Combs’ friends have also quietly fled, including Jay-Z and Beyonce (who has socially disappeared since allegations against Combs surfaced), Mary J. Blige, Lil’ Kim, Will Smith, Pharrell Williams and DJ Khaled.
As one music industry source told me, “People don’t want their own skeletons to be revealed.”
