Sean “Diddy” Combs has returned his key to New York City following a request from Mayor Eric Adams. This action comes in response to the release of a video showing the music mogul attacking R&B singer Cassie Ventura, officials confirmed on Saturday.
The mayor’s office stated that Combs returned the key after Adams sent letters to the musician’s offices in New York and California on June 4, rescinding the key and asking for its return to City Hall. The city received the key on June 10.
In his letter, Adams expressed his deep disturbance over the attack, stating, “I strongly condemn these actions and stand in solidarity with all survivors of domestic and gender-based violence.”
Combs’ career has faced significant setbacks due to numerous accusations of sexual abuse and a federal criminal sex-trafficking investigation, which led to raids on his mansions in Los Angeles and Miami. In May, CNN aired security footage from 2016 showing Combs attacking Cassie in a hotel hallway in Los Angeles. Combs has publicly apologized, calling his actions “inexcusable.”
Cassie, whose legal name is Cassandra Ventura, sued Combs last year, which brought increased scrutiny on him. The case was settled a day after it was filed.
Adams had awarded Combs the key to the city during a ceremony last year that coincided with the release of a new album. However, following the release of the video, Howard University also rescinded an honorary degree awarded to Combs and ended a scholarship program in his name.
Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, has been a significant figure in the hip-hop industry for the past three decades, transforming his musical success into a business empire. Despite his influence, the recent events have cast a shadow over his legacy.
An email sent to a representative for Combs was not immediately returned.
Mayor Adams’ letter emphasized the city’s commitment to supporting survivors of domestic and gender-based violence. “Our city has worked tirelessly to ensure survivors are heard and seen by our administration,” Adams wrote.
The key to the city is typically awarded to individuals whose service to the public and the common good rises to the highest level of achievement. Adams noted that after internal deliberations, the Key to the City of New York committee recommended nullifying and rescinding Combs’ key. “I have accepted their recommendation and am requesting that Mr. Combs immediately return his Key to the City,” Adams concluded.
The video, which was released by CNN, showed Combs wearing just socks and a towel around his waist as he brutally beat Ventura in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. This footage corroborated part of Ventura’s lawsuit against Combs, which accused him of physical and sexual abuse.
Following the video’s release, Howard University announced that it had revoked the honorary degree conferred upon Combs after a unanimous vote by its Board of Trustees. The university also returned a $1 million donation from Combs, disbanded the scholarship program in his name, and terminated a $1 million pledge agreement made in 2023 with the Sean Combs Foundation.
In a May Instagram video, Combs apologized for his behavior, calling it “inexcusable” but did not mention Ventura by name. “It’s so difficult to reflect on the darkest times in your life, but sometimes you got to do that. I was messed up – I hit rock bottom – but I make no excuses,” he said. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video.”
The fallout from the video has been significant, with Combs losing not only the key to the city but also his honorary degree and associated honors from Howard University. The music mogul’s public image has taken a substantial hit, and his future in the industry remains uncertain.
