On October 3, Bryan Freedman, a prominent entertainment attorney and co-founder of the Los Angeles law firm Freedman Taitelman + Cooley LLP, shared with Page Six about the fear that is gripping the music industry regarding the mid-September arrest of Sean ( Diddy ) Combs on sex trafficking and other charges.

“Many people at the highest levels, including artists, executives, managers and others, are not sleeping well right now. Those who knowingly allow and/or encourage this behavior and remain silent should be concerned,” Mr. Freedman said.

The arrest of Sean “Diddy” Combs is giving some of the biggest figures in the music industry sleepless nights, according to a top lawyer. Photo: FilmMagic.

Mr. Freedman urged those who have been falsely rumored to be associated with Diddy or his team to seek legal representation rather than lose sleep worrying about having their names mentioned in the case.

On the other hand, according to legal experts, another part of showbiz, although not involved in any wrongdoing, also feels apprehensive about being rumored or accidentally mentioned. They do not want to be named in rumors just because they were closely associated with Diddy.

An anonymous industry source also commented similarly: “People who have worked closely with Diddy, I’m sure they are scared and God knows what’s around them.”

“Everyone knows someone who was at the party with Diddy, ” a Hollywood legal source added to Page Six . “There must be 5,000 people who could have seen something bad that they’re wondering whether to report.”

Meanwhile, another legal expert claims many in the music industry could be drawn into Diddy’s case.

According to this person, Diddy has a successful career and important contributions to the industry. He not only manages a number of top artists, but also works with many influential partners such as MTV, Universal or Sony… Not to mention, Diddy is a regular guest at entertainment events, from the Grammy Awards to some charity fundraiser.

Sources believe there is a possibility that some of the record label executives were present and witnessed Diddy’s crimes, although there is no concrete evidence.

“I’m sure there are people who know what’s going on. However, Combs will keep it to a relatively tight circle that he trusts and is close to. Authorities seem to be focused on reaching out to Diddy’s accusers, making sure they can make their case,” the source stressed.

Diddy has deep and wide connections in the music industry, there is reason to believe that there are people who know about this tycoon’s crimes but do not speak out. Photo: Getty Images.

In fact, there were specific names mentioned following Diddy’s arrest.

In late September, Suge Knight, co-founder and former CEO of Death Row Records, told News Nation from prison (serving a 28-year sentence for manslaughter) that three major record label bosses, Clive Davis, Russell Simmons, and Andre Harrell, used alcohol, drugs, and sex to control Diddy, leading to the rapper’s distorted perception and doing the same to younger artists later on.

Suge Knight also accused Shawn “Tubby” Holiday, Diddy’s former talent scout and manager, of soliciting girls and minors for sex trafficking by the tycoon. Holiday is now the chairman of Giant Records and co-founder of the Black Music Action Coalition.

Except for Andre Harrell, who died and Clive Davis, who denied the accusations, Simmons and Holliday chose to remain silent.

Earlier this year, Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a former producer and videographer for Diddy, sued his former boss for multiple sexual assaults between September and November 2023. In the lawsuit, Jones named Lucian Charles Grainge, CEO of the multinational music conglomerate Universal Music Group (UMG), as a financial supporter and accomplice to Diddy.

Grainge and UMG’s legal team have denied the allegations, calling them false and defamatory. They have also announced a defamation lawsuit against Jones and his legal team. UMG’s lawsuit is scheduled to go to trial on October 16.

Music mogul Lucian Charles Grainge denies aiding and abetting Diddy financially. Photo: FilmMagic.