Gold Is Being Reintroduced Into the Monetary System

While the media focuses on political scandals, inflation and coming up with ridiculous acronyms "TACO"... Smart money is tracking a far bigger shift: a gold revaluation is quietly underway. Garrett Goggin, CFA, says this could trigger 100X moves in select miners - and he's identified four with the biggest upside.

After Diddy's conviction, here's where his business ventures stand

JONATHAN LANDRUM Jr.
July 02, 2025

LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Sean "Diddy" Combs has been acquitted of the most serious charges in his federal sex trafficking trial, but that doesn't mean the once-celebrated music mogul will see his business empire restored.

Combs, 55, who is one of the most influential figures in hip-hop history, was acquitted Wednesday of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges but convicted on prostitution offenses. Prosecutors painted a dark portrait of the mogul, with witnesses taking the stand to allege a pattern of violence and detail drug-fueled sex parties he reportedly called "freak-offs" or "hotel nights."

Combs was convicted of flying people around the country, including his girlfriends and paid male sex workers, to engage in sexual encounters, a felony violation of the federal Mann Act. He could still be sentenced to prison for as long as a decade.

Here's a closer look at how Combs' business portfolio and public image have crumbled under the weight of the allegations.

What has happened to Combs' business empire?

Before Combs was arrested and charged, his major business ventures had collapsed: He stepped down and later fully divested from Revolt TV, which was founded in 2013. The network offered a mix of programming focused on hip-hop culture, R&B music, social justice and documentaries.

He also reportedly lost a Hulu reality series deal and saw his once-iconic fashion brand Sean John vanish from Macy's shelves.

After surveillance footage surfaced last year showing Combs physically assaulting singer Cassie, his then-girlfriend, in 2016, consequences mounted: New York City revoked his ceremonial key, Peloton pulled his music, Howard University rescinded his honorary degree and his charter school in Harlem cut ties.

Last year, Combs settled a legal dispute with Diageo, relinquishing control of his lucrative spirits brands, Ciroc and DeLeón. While many of his ventures have unraveled, his music catalog -- for now -- remains intact.

Where does Combs' music stand?

Bad Boy Records may be synonymous with 1990s icons like The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Ma$e, and 112, but Combs kept the label relevant before his arrest with high-profile releases.

In 2023, Combs dropped " The Love Album: Off the Grid," which was his first solo studio album in nearly two decades, and Janelle Monáe released her critically acclaimed project " The Age of Pleasure " through Bad Boy. Both albums earned Grammy nominations, with Monáe's effort recognized in the prestigious record of the year category.

Ahead of the "The Love Album" release, Combs made headlines by returning Bad Boy publishing rights to several former artists and songwriters, years after he was criticized for how he handled their contracts.

Bad Boy Records remains operational, but the label has been significantly shaken by Combs' legal firestorm and it hasn't announced any major upcoming releases.

Last week, a surprise EP called "Never Stop" released by his son, King Combs, and Ye (formerly Kanye West), showed support for the embattled mogul. The project was released through Goodfellas Entertainment.

Bad Boy Records remained active through 2022, backing Machine Gun Kelly's "Mainstream Sellout" under the Bad Boy umbrella. He was a producer on MTV's reality television series "Making the Band," and "Making His Band," launching the careers of artists like the girl group Danity Kane and male R&B group Day 26.

Could Diddy's fortune be at risk?

Combs has been sued by multiple people who claim to have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. He has already paid $20 million to settle with one accuser, his former girlfriend Cassie. Most of those lawsuits, though, are still pending. It isn't clear how many, if any, will be successful, or how much it will cost Combs to defend himself in court. Combs and his lawyers have denied all the misconduct allegations and dismissed his accusers as out for a big payday.

Federal prosecutors had informed the court that if Combs is convicted, they would seek to have him forfeit any assets, including property, "used to commit or facilitate" his crimes. They won't detail exactly what property that might involve until after the trial is over.

How is Diddy's music faring on streaming?

Despite the legal turmoil surrounding Combs, his music catalog remains widely available on major streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple Music and Amazon Music. None of the streamers have publicly addressed whether they plan to adjust how his music is featured.

Interestingly, Combs' music saw a roughly 20% boost in U.S. streaming between April and May 2025, his biggest monthly spike this year, according to Luminate. The numbers jump coincided with key moments in the trial, including testimonies from Cassie and Kid Cudi.

However, there was a slight drop-off with a 5 to 10% decrease in June compared to the previous month's streams.

Streaming makes up a fraction of an artist's revenue and is calculated through a complicated process called "streamshare." Most artists see very little pay from digital services.

What happened to other businesses like Sean John?

Sean John, founded in 1998, has gone largely dormant, with its presence disappearing from major retailers like Macy's. There are no clear signs of a relaunch on the horizon.

In 2023, Combs launched Empower Global, an online marketplace designed to uplift Black-owned businesses and strengthen the Black dollar. He positioned the platform as a modern-day "Black Wall Street," backing it with a reported $20 million of his own investment.

The platform debuted with 70 brands and planned to expand by onboarding new Black-owned businesses each month, aiming to feature more than 200 by year's end.

However, as 2023 came to a close, several brands cut ties with Empower Global. It was reported that some cited disappointing performance and growing concerns over the misconduct allegations surrounding Combs.

___

AP Music Writer Maria Sherman contributed to this report.

Continue Reading...

Popular

IRS Reportedly Confirms $1,390 Stimulus Checks For Eligible Americans, Rumors of $2,000 August Payout Debunked — Plans Late Summer Rollout (UPDATED)

Millions of Americans may be eligible for a $1,390 stimulus check by the U.S. Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service, as part of a plan aiming to provide financial relief to low and middle-income households.

Congresswoman Files Hundreds Of Stock Trades Late, Including Palantir Stock Up Over 600%

A Congresswoman violated the Stock Act with a disclosure showing hundreds of stock transaction made dating back to March 2024.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after October 23rd, it may be too late.

Sunrun (RUN) Stock Soars As Wells Fargo Nearly Doubles Price Target

Sunrun shares are surging Friday afternoon. Wells Fargo analyst Michael Blum reiterated an Overweight rating on Sunrun.

XRP Slips Below $3 But It Will Outperform ETH From Here, Trader Touts

XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is expected to outperform Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) in the upcoming months, according to market commentators bullish on the token’s futur

Will Your Savings Survive the August 31st Debt Ceiling Crisis? - Ad

On Aug 31, the U.S. runs out of "extraordinary measures" to avoid default. Insiders are moving into crisis-proof assets-while everyday Americans risk losing big. The FREE Mar-A-Lago Accord reveals where they're hiding wealth, how the Fed's response could crush the dollar, and 3 urgent moves to make now.

Cathie Wood's Thursday Bet: ARK Just Bought $31 Million Worth Of Falling Deere Stock, Also Loads Up On Block, Robinhood Shares

Ark Invest, led by Cathie Wood, made significant trades on Thursday — focusing on Deere & Co. (NYSE:DE), Block Inc. (NYSE:XYZ) and Robinhood Markets Inc. (NASDAQ:

Trump Exec Order to Help Restore Wealth for American Citizens? - Ad

Thanks to President Trump's Executive Order 14179, a brief "AI Wealth Window" is opening now. Genius investor James Altucher has released 3 AI wealth-building strategies to take advantage of Trump's genius Executive Order 14179. James believes you could see $10,000 grow to $1 MILLION or more over the next few years.

Las Vegas tourism is down. Some blame Trump's tariffs and immigration crackdown

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Tourism in Las Vegas is slumping this summer, with resorts and convention centers reporting fewer visitors compared to last year, especially from abroad, and some officials are blaming the Trump administration’s and policies for the decline.

BWX Technologies Rides US Push For Military And Space Nuclear Power To New Highs

BWX Technologies (BWXT) is experiencing a surge in demand for naval nuclear power and next-generation reactors, with a record backlog of $6 billion and growth potential in defense, energy, and space markets.

How 433 Investors Unlocked 400X Return Potential - Ad

VCs back startups for outsized gains. Regular investors wait. But rule changes fixed that. Take Revolut. In 2016, 433 people averaged a $2,370 stake. Today? It's worth $1M+, up 89,900%. No wonder 10K+ people and the VCs behind Uber and eBay took the chance on Pacaso's $1.3T market disruption.

Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre wrote a memoir. Months after her death, it's coming out

NEW YORK (AP) — A posthumous and “unsparing” memoir by one of most prominent accusers, will be published this fall, publishing house Alfred A. Knopf said Sunday.

Best Buy Could Be Gearing Up For Comeback, Analyst Says

Best Buy finds itself at a pivotal juncture as electronics retailers navigate a shifting landscape marked by changing consumer habits.

October 16 Changes the Microchip Game - and Investing - Ad

George Gilder-dubbed "America's #1 Futurist"-says while everyone's chasing AI, the real opportunity is in a 4-nanometer tech millions of times more complex. It's not another chip - it replaces them. Now built in Arizona, Gilder says 3 companies tied to this "super-convergence" could soar.

Twenty Suspected Mossad Spies Arrested in Iran

Iran has reportedly arrested 20 individuals, accusing them of espionage for Israel's intelligence agency, Mossad, and has issued threats of execution.

Gold Is Soaring. Here's How To Get Paid From It - Ad

Gold just broke through $3,300. And while the headlines shout about price targets, something even more powerful is happening behind the scenes. Some investors are using a little-known ETF to collect up to $1,152/month from gold's surge. Just a simple fund delivering monthly payouts.

An explosion at a plant owned by US Steel, an icon of American industry, has killed 2. What to know

An south of Pittsburgh killed two people and injured 10 others. The CEO has vowed to find out what caused Monday's blast while union officials say representatives will work to ensure a thorough investigation.

Microsoft reviewing Israeli military's use of its tech amid worker protests

REDMOND, Wash. (AP) — Worker-led protests erupted at Microsoft headquarters this week as the tech company promises an “urgent” review of the Israeli military's use of its technology during the .

Elon's New Device Could Launch Biggest IPO of the Decade - Ad

Elon Musk's new device is being called a "game-changer"-and even the White House is using this tech. Jeff Brown says it could launch Musk's next trillion-dollar company and make early investors rich. You can claim a stake now for as little as $500.

Benzinga Bulls And Bears: Intel, UNH, Rigetti — And All Eyes On Powell

Benzinga examined the prospects for many investors' favorite stocks over the last week — here's a look at some of our top stories.

What's inside Elon's building in Memphis will shock you - Ad

Inside Elon Musk's Memphis site lies a supercomputer built to power the world's first superhuman AI. It could make Elon a trillionaire - and new millionaires, too. With just $500, you could get in before the September 1st funding window closes.

Intel Deal Splits Experts, Beijing Pressures Alibaba And ByteDance On Nvidia, Zuckerberg Reshuffles AI Again —Tech This Week

The past week has been a rollercoaster ride in the tech world. From President Donald Trump's controversial stake in Intel Corporation to Beijing's backlash against Nvidia Corporation and Mark Zuckerberg's AI restructuring at Meta Platforms, the tech industry has been buzzing with activity. Let's dive into the details.

Intel Stock Is Trading Higher Tuesday: What's Going On?

Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC) shares are trading higher Tuesday after CEO Lip-Bu Tan met with President Donald Trump in the White House on Monday.

The Tesla Shock Nobody Sees Coming - Ad

While headlines scream "Tesla is doomed"...Jeff Brown has uncovered a revolutionary AI breakthrough buried inside Tesla's labs. One that is helping AI escape from our computer screens and manifest itself here in the real world all while creating a 25,000% growth market explosion starting as early as October 23rd.

New Jersey's massive American Dream mall sued for selling clothes on a Sunday

On any given Sunday, in New Jersey allows visitors to hit an indoor ski slope, surf an artificial wave, ride roller coasters — or shop for a new outfit at dozens of big-name retail stores.

Cracker Barrel unveils a new logo as part of wider rebrand efforts, sparking ire among some online

NEW YORK (AP) — Cracker Barrel is marching forward with an ongoing makeover. And to the dismay of some fans, the chain's new logo now ditches the barrel itself.

Gold Is Being Reintroduced Into the Monetary System - Ad

While the media focuses on political scandals, inflation and coming up with ridiculous acronyms "TACO"... Smart money is tracking a far bigger shift: a gold revaluation is quietly underway. Garrett Goggin, CFA, says this could trigger 100X moves in select miners - and he's identified four with the biggest upside.

Tariffs, Producer Prices, And Small-Cap ETFs: A Pressure Test For Margins

PPI surges in July due to Trump's tariffs, impacting small caps more than large caps. Consider SPY, IJS, RZV and sector hedges like XLE for investing.

Is Elon's Empire Crumbling? - Ad

Jeff Brown - the legend who called Tesla and Nvidia early - says Elon is about to launch a $25T AI revolution. This isn't another chatbot. It's real-world AI that could 14X the impact of ChatGPT. But after October 23rd, it may be too late.

Stock Of The Day: Time To Buy Cooper Companies?

The Cooper Companies (COO) are oversold and at support. These dynamics can set the stage for a new uptrend to form.

Will Your Savings Survive the August 31st Debt Ceiling Crisis? - Ad

On Aug 31, the U.S. runs out of "extraordinary measures" to avoid default. Insiders are moving into crisis-proof assets-while everyday Americans risk losing big. The FREE Mar-A-Lago Accord reveals where they're hiding wealth, how the Fed's response could crush the dollar, and 3 urgent moves to make now.

Cracker Barrel Stock Spikes Over 7% After Bringing Back The Old Logo, Trump Commentary

Cracker Barrel shares surged after the company scrapped its new logo and kept the classic "Old Timer" character following backlash and comments from Donald Trump.

Ukraine's $150 Billion Commitment To Buy US Weapons Could Hand RTX, Lockheed And Northrop Billions

Ukraine is reportedly promising to buy $100 billion worth of American weapons, financed by Europe, in return for a security guarantee by the U.S.

Trump Exec Order to Help Restore Wealth for American Citizens? - Ad

Thanks to President Trump's Executive Order 14179, a brief "AI Wealth Window" is opening now. Genius investor James Altucher has released 3 AI wealth-building strategies to take advantage of Trump's genius Executive Order 14179. James believes you could see $10,000 grow to $1 MILLION or more over the next few years.

Pakistan, China and Afghanistan hold summit in Kabul to boost cooperation

ISLAMABAD (AP) — are meeting on Wednesday in Kabul for a trilateral summit aimed at boosting political, regional and economic cooperation, officials said.

Trending Now

Information, charts or examples are for illustration and educational purposes only and not for individualized investment management This message contains commercial elements, such as advertising. We only send these offers to those who have opted in to our newsletter. Past performance is not indicative of future results. For these reasons we strongly suggest trading in a DEMO/Simulated account. The information provided by us is for educational and informational purposes only. We make no representations or warranties concerning the products, practices or procedures of any company or entity mentioned or recommended and have not determined if the statements and opinions of the advertiser are accurate, correct or truthful. If you use, act upon or make decisions in reliance on information contained or any external source linked within it, you do so at your own peril and agree to hold us, our officers, directors, shareholders, affiliates and agents without fault.

Copyright smartmoneytrading.net
Privacy Policy | Terms of Service