Diddy's reputation is tarnished, but could he find a way back?

2 hours ago Share Save Ian Youngs Culture reporter Share Save

Reuters Sean "Diddy" Combs was one of the most influential figures in hop-hop

After the verdicts were delivered in Sean "Diddy" Combs' trial in New York on Wednesday, emotions boiled over outside court in heated confrontations between fans and protesters who voiced opposing views about the outcome. Some thought the rap star should have been found guilty on the more serious counts, not just the two lesser charges on which he was convicted. But they were outnumbered by pro-Diddy influencers and fans who were chanting "free Diddy" and "let him go" and spraying each other in baby oil in celebration. The jury's mixed verdicts did not present a clear-cut result - but it was seen as a better-than-expected outcome for the star. He still faces significant jail time and dozens of civil legal cases, though. His reputation will forever be tarnished by months of ugly allegations and revelations - and the two convictions. But some observers believe that's unlikely to stop him trying to mount a comeback.

Driving force of hip-hop

Getty Images He performed and was named a Global Icon at the 2023 MTV Video Music Awards

As a songwriter, rapper, producer and record label impresario, Combs - formerly known as Puff Daddy - was one of the driving forces in hip-hop and R&B in the 1990s. He launched the careers of Notorious BIG and Mary J Blige, signed acts such as Faith Evans, 112, Mase and Janelle Monae to his Bad Boy Records label, and worked with stars including Mariah Carey, Usher and Busta Rhymes. He won three Grammy Awards as an artist and scored his biggest pop hit with I'll Be Missing You, sampling The Police's Every Breath You Take, in 1997 - his tribute after BIG's murder. Combs "was one of the most famous people in hip-hop", says Los Angeles Times music writer August Brown. "He was an incredibly important figure in evolving both that genre and the music industry as a whole into a commercial juggernaut."

Dark side of Diddy's parties

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Like many at the peak of the music industry, he also threw lavish parties. But sordid details emerged during the legal cases, revealing a darker side. These so-called "freak offs" were hotel sex encounters which could last for days, involving multiple male escorts, routine violence and copious amounts of drugs and baby oil. The question for the jury was whether this was a criminal enterprise designed to force two alleged victims into sex against their will or whether, as Combs claimed, the women willingly took part. The defence argued that these orgies were "kinky" but consensual - and that organising them was not criminal. In the end, the jury agreed and he was found not guilty of the most serious charge of racketeering conspiracy, as well as two charges of sex trafficking. "The jury was just unpersuaded that what amounted to an extremely baroque and violent and drug-stoked sex life on Diddy's behalf amounted to a criminal organisation on the racketeering charge, or trafficking in the way that we understand it now," Mr Brown told the BBC World Service. "This isn't to say that it wasn't possible, but they just didn't think it rose to 'beyond a shadow of a doubt'."

Jail then comeback?

Getty Images Cassie Ventura gave evidence against former partner, and a video of him assaulting her was a key piece of evidence

Combs was, however, convicted on two counts of transporting two former girlfriends, including singer Cassie, to participate in sex acts and prostitution. He will face up to 10 years in jail for each charge when he's sentenced in October. But the sentences are likely to be lower than the maximum and to run simultaneously, with the year he will have already spent in jail to be deducted. So it's quite possible he could be free in several years. His supporters will be waiting - but most people will be unwilling to accept a comeback, Mr Brown says. "I cannot imagine any kind of redemption arc as far as him [remaining] as an artist or a music mogul in light of this. "I think the public will remember him as an important figure whose name is now permanently associated with this very-difficult-to-process range of charges, even if he's not been convicted on the worst of it." Alvin Blanco, content director of Hiphopwired.com, agrees that Combs is too tarnished to make a successful comeback. "He's definitely going to try, but I think the damage is just too irreparable at this point."

Watch: The BBC's Nomia Iqbal looks at what comes next after Diddy verdict

Mark Anthony Neal, professor of African American Studies at Duke University in North Carolina, also believes there's "no doubt" the revelations have tarnished Combs' legacy as the man who helped take hip-hop "from the ghettos to the mainstream of America to the global mainstream". However, his influence on music had diminished even before the allegations, says Jem Aswad, executive editor of music at Variety. "He doesn't really have much of a music career any more, and he hasn't for about 15 years," Mr Aswad told BBC News. "It's not that he was unpopular, although he wasn't enormously popular recently - he just moved on to other businesses. He got into beverages, he got into apparel, he got into lots of other businesses. "Anything he did in music over the last 15 years was almost just for fun. I think he's released two, maybe three albums in that time period, and they just did OK, and frankly they just were OK."

Awards success

His stock was still pretty high, though. His last LP, The Love Album: Off The Grid, was nominated for a Grammy Award in 2024. The previous year, he was named a Global Icon at the MTV Awards. And he wouldn't be the first star to retain support despite facing allegations. Michael Jackson was cleared of child abuse in court in 2005 but persuasive claims about him have persisted, and many people still wrestle with how to reconcile those with the brilliance of the King of Pop's catalogue. R&B star R. Kelly was jailed for 30 years in 2022 for racketeering and sex trafficking. He still has five million monthly listeners on Spotify at the last count. Some in hip-hop may be willing to work with Combs. Kanye West last week released a song called Diddy Free - although Kanye himself is ostracised by large parts of the industry for making antisemitic and Nazi statements.

Supporters' delight

EPA Combs' fans celebrated outside the court

No end in sight for bin strike after six months

8 minutes ago Share Save Shannen Headley BBC News, West Midlands Phil Mackie BBC Midlands Today Share Save

BBC Unslightly rubbish piles have become a normal sight on some Birmingham streets

Student Theo Charlton just cannot believe the "apocalyptic" piles of rubbish that he has seen outside his student housing in the UK's second largest city. With the stench of rotting waste thick in the air, the 21-year-old is concerned whether the rubbish from students moving out will get collected. Six months since bin strike action began in Birmingham, there is no getting away from it for people living in the city. Pamela Pritchard, from Great Barr, told the BBC she had not been transporting her recycling to the local tip "out of principle", with the 68-year-old storing it inside her home.

In further strike action, kerbside green waste and recycling collections have been suspended. Birmingham City Council said it remained committed to resolving the dispute despite its recycling rate of 22.9 % being the lowest of any unitary authority in the country, with the exception of Liverpool. Members of the Unite union walked out in January over plans to downgrade some roles as part of the city council's attempts to sort out its equal pay liabilities. An all-out indefinite strike was announced in March and a deal to end industrial action has not yet been reached. Ms Pritchard told the BBC she had been collecting her recycling rubbish and storing it indoors since the strike began. Among the growing piles of neatly stored cardboard, papers and blister packs, she said if the strike went on any longer, she would "learn to live with it".

Pamela Pritchard, 68, has been storing her recycling inside her home since the bin strikes began

She said: "I don't drive. On principle I refuse to allow my friends to use their time to take my rubbish to the tip, so I've left it in the house. "I've always been a keen recycler and I hate wasted resources. "[If the strike continues] I'll find somewhere else, I'll store it in the shed I'll ask a friend - I'll find a home for it."

There has been no recycling collections since the start of the all-out strike in March

At his hub for student housing, Mr Charlton told the BBC that when students moved out for the summer, mountains of rubbish were left behind. He said: "The other day I was looking at everyone moving out and it was apocalyptic the amount of rubbish [they left behind]. "People don't prepare for leaving, they just dump so much stuff. I thought to myself that's going to be there for ages, its not going to get collected." The 21-year-old said that, as he did not drive, he was unable to get to a recycling point.

Theo Charlton (left), and Dan Savill (right) told the BBC students moving out in Selly Oak have left 'apocalyptic' rubbish piles

Fellow student Dan Savill echoed the concerns. The 20-year-old, who is moving to university for his final year, said he was still making an effort to separate his recycling, even though the collections had been "selective". He also said that as recycling was not being collected, people were putting that rubbish in with the black bin collections. "There's rubbish in both bins not being taken. The priority at this point should be taking everything somewhere. Ideally recycling - but all of the general waste should be gone first."

After six months, residents are no clearer as to when the strike will end

Councillor Izzy Knowles said people living in flats in Moseley had little to no recycling facilities. "The recycling is totally full up. It's getting contaminated. [Some] don't have cars, even if they go to the tip they're not allowed in as pedestrians." The Liberal Democrat councillor said the council should be organising recycling trucks and garden waste trucks at mobile household waste centres.

Councillor Izzy Knowles said people living in flats in Moseley have limited recycling facilities already - and have nowhere left to put their rubbish

Birmingham City Council said it was focused on delivering a "transformation" of waste collection services which would boost their recycling rates. If it does not meet the government's target rate of 65% by 2035, it could face a reduction in grant funding. Councillor Majid Mahmood said: "This is a service that needs to be transformed to one that citizens of Birmingham deserve. "The council remains committed to resolving the industrial action in the best interest of all parties involved."

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Your new banknote ideas - from British Bulldogs to Fawlty Towers

3 hours ago Share Save Kevin Peachey Cost of living correspondent Share Save

Julie Dudley the dog is unlikely to feature, but animals are a popular suggestion

While cash might not be as popular as it once was, the opportunity to fashion the next series of banknotes has got brains whirring and tails wagging. Within a day of reporting on the Bank of England's public invitation to influence a major redesign of banknotes, there were more than 2,000 responses to Your Voice, Your BBC on the issue. Dudley the British Bulldog, pictured on Cawsand Beach in Cornwall, will be one of the least likely contenders, despite being described as a "national treasure" by his owner Julie, from Plymouth. But animals and nature, as well as railways and TV nostalgia have featured strongly among the ideas.

Images of historical characters, starting with William Shakespeare, have featured on Bank of England notes since 1970. Now, the Bank's chief cashier Victoria Cleland has suggested images on the next set of £5, £10, £20 and £50 notes could stick with notable figures of the past or move on to a new theme, as is seen on banknotes issued in Scotland, Nothern Ireland and around the world. The Bank is giving people a month to select from certain themes, such as architecture, innovation or the arts, or suggest their own topics. The Bank has not commented on the number of entries so far, but - if responses to the BBC are anything to go by - they are likely to be inundated.

Great ships

Getty Images The SS Great Britain in Bristol is among the maritime suggestions

Among the themes to be suggested was a celebration of the UK's maritime heritage. The Mary Rose, HMS Belfast, HMS Trincomalee, HMS Victory, Cutty Sark, and the SS Great Britain are all worthy of a place on a banknote, according to Hilary in London. Charles from Bristol goes further. "I don't just mean the spectacularly beautiful clipper ships, and instantly recognisable liners, but perhaps some of the lesser known vessels trading with Commonwealth countries, or oil rig support vessels working hard in the North Sea," he wrote.

Famous landmarks

Stonehenge is always a popular suggestion for something that represents Britain

There are appeals for the themes and choices to represent the whole of the country. The Angel of the North is a regular suggestion, and areas of natural beauty such as the Yorkshire Dales. Mike in Salisbury thinks using tourist sites on banknotes could bring benefits. "Tourists come to England to see the main sites such as Stonehenge, Buckingham Palace, the Queen Elizabeth Tower etc," he says. "If the banknotes showed these pictures then they would be more likely to visit the site, hold one up when taking a photo, and maybe even taking the note home as a souvenir."

Classic TV characters

Classic sitcoms like Fawlty Towers might be a popular choice

Nostalgia features heavily, bringing a more recent historical outlook to notes that have carried images of people from the past for more than 50 years. "Some classic British children's TV characters like Willow The Wisp, Bagpuss, or even a collection of them would make me smile," says Steve in Cardiff. "Likewise I think some classic British TV could be represented, like The Bill - no pun intended - or Casualty, soap operas or even comedies like Fawlty Towers. Television has been a large part of life for many people growing up and I'm sure, people would appreciate a bit of nostalgia on the notes."

Vintage trains

SSPL/Getty Images Many people would like to see British railways and vintage trains like the British Pullman celebrated

Nostalgia for the railways and "local and meaningful" stations also features in responses. "With the 200 years of the railway in Britain being celebrated, it seems a shame not to celebrate that considering we gave railways to the world," says Ian in Derby.

A mobile phone?

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Despite the wide range of options, some people are keen to stick to the way key figures in history are honoured on banknotes. "Having looked at all the options I really do think that historical figures should still be number one choice. Might it be possible to include Diana Princess of Wales somewhere?" asks Elizabeth, from Oxford. But with cash used in only 12% of transactions, some say the time and effort involved in a huge overhaul of notes is unnecessary. "We are sadly faced with the prospect of a cashless society, with so many places refusing to accept my cash, so I have to wonder, why bother changing the design?" says Dawn in Redditch. Ian in Leighton Buzzard is much more blunt. "I would suggest that the new banknotes look like a mobile phone because that is how people are used to paying," he says.

People can submit their views via an online form on the Bank's website, or by post, by the end of July. The final decision on what exactly features on a banknote lies with the Bank's governor.

What have tariffs really done to the US economy?

3 hours ago Share Save Natalie Sherman BBC News Share Save

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Soon after Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, he began raising tariffs, brushing off warnings from economists and businesses about the risks of economic damage. He started with Mexico, Canada and China, then targeted steel, aluminium and cars, and finally in April, on what he called "Liberation Day", unleashed a blitz of new taxes on goods from countries around the world. The plans hit trade and roiled financial markets. But as worries mounted, Trump quickly suspended his most aggressive plans to allow for 90 days of talks. As that 9 July deadline approaches and the president crafts his approach, he will have one eye on the US economy. So what has the impact really been?

The stock market - a wash

Trump's plans included tariffs of 20% on goods from the European Union, punishing tariffs on items from China of 145%, and a 46% levy on imports from Vietnam, though on Wednesday he announced a deal that will see the US charge tariffs of 20% on Vietnam. The US stock market suffered the most immediate hit, starting to slide in February and finally tanking in April after Trump unveiled the full scope of his plans, on so-called "Liberation Day". The S&P 500, which tracks 500 of the biggest companies in the US, dropped about 12% over the course of a week. But shares bounced back after Trump rolled back his plans, abandoning steep tariffs in favour of a more easily swallowed 10% rate instead. Now, the S&P 500 index is up about 6% for the year. In the UK and Europe, shares have also rebounded.

But shares of tariff-vulnerable firms, such as retailers and car companies are still hurting - and there is more risk ahead, as the talks deadline approaches. The White House has left its options open, saying both that the deadline is "not critical" and that the president may simply present other countries "with a deal" on that date. Liz Ann Sonders, chief investment strategist at Charles Schwab, said the rebound suggested "a lot of complacency" among investors, who risk being spooked again should Trump revive higher tariffs than they expect.

Trade - at a crossroads

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Trump's tariffs precipitated a rush of goods to the US in the early part of the year, followed by a sharp drop in April and May. But zoom out a bit, and US goods imports in the first five months of the year were up 17% compared with the same period last year. What happens in the months ahead will depend on whether Trump extends his pause - or revives his more aggressive plans, said Ben Hackett of Hackett Associates, which tracks port traffic for the National Retail Federation. "At this point it's anybody's guess," Mr Hackett said, noting that for now the situation was "in a holding pattern". "If the tariff freeze disappears and the high tariffs are reimposed then almost certainly we're going to have a short recession," he added.

Prices - too soon to say

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In the US, imported goods are estimated to account for only about 11% of consumer spending. Trump and his allies have argued that fears that tariffs - which, on average, are now roughly six times higher than they were at the start of the year - will drive up the cost of living for Americans are overblown. They have pointed in part to recent inflation data, which showed consumer prices stepping up just 0.1% from April to May. But certain items, such as toys, saw far bigger jumps and many goods facing higher duties have not yet made it to shelves. Firms, especially those cushioned by strong profits, could opt to pass the increases on gradually, rather than alienate customers with an abrupt jump. Despite pressure from the president to "eat the tariffs", economists still widely expect customers to pay for them eventually. "If you're not digging more into the data you would think, 'nothing to see here' from an inflation standpoint," says Ms Sonders. "But it's premature at this point to hang the victory banner."

Consumer spending - slowing