Diddy accuses Netflix of releasing ‘shameful and illegal’ 50 Cent–produced documentary
Lawyers for Sean “Diddy” Combs sharply criticised a new Netflix documentary produced by rapper 50 Cent, calling it “a shameful hit piece” built on “stolen footage”.
The four-part series, Sean Combs: The Reckoning, debuted on Tuesday and is marketed as a “staggering examination” of the hip-hop mogul, who was convicted earlier this year on charges related to prostitution.
Among the material featured is what Netflix describes as “explosive” footage taken in the days leading up to Combs’ arrest—including a phone call with his attorneys. Director Alexandria Stapleton insists the footage was obtained legally, but Combs’ team argues its use is “fundamentally unfair and illegal”.
Claims of a personal vendetta
In a statement, a spokesperson for Combs said it was “staggering” that Netflix had granted creative control to 50 Cent—“a longtime adversary with a personal vendetta”.
“Netflix is plainly desperate to sensationalise every minute of Mr Combs’s life, without regard for truth, in order to capitalise on a never-ending media frenzy,” the statement said.
“If Netflix cared about truth or about Mr Combs’s legal rights, it would not be ripping private footage out of context—including conversations with his lawyers that were never intended for public viewing. No rights in that material were ever transferred to Netflix or any third party.”
The spokesperson added that allowing a longtime rival to shape Combs’ life story felt like “an unnecessary and deeply personal affront”, saying the artist “expected fairness from people he respected”.
Private footage at the heart of dispute
The documentary opens with scenes filmed six days before Combs’ September 2024 arrest. In the clips, he is heard telling attorney Marc Agnifilo he wants to “fight for my life”, urging him to adopt a more aggressive media strategy to defend his innocence.
Another moment shows Combs speaking with his son Justin five days before the arrest, saying: “God told me to do nothing… [but] other people need to do something ‘cause this is ridiculous.”
Combs’ representatives insist the documentary uses footage that was “never authorised for release”, emphasising that he had been collecting material about his life since he was 19 for a future project of his own.
Netflix has not issued a fresh response, referring US media to earlier comments from Stapleton: “It came to us, we obtained the footage legally and have the necessary rights,” she said, adding that the team “moved heaven and earth” to keep the filmmaker’s identity confidential.
50 Cent’s involvement
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson, who serves as executive producer, has had a two-decade feud with Combs. Speaking on Good Morning America, he said: “If I didn’t say anything, you would interpret it as hip-hop being fine with his behaviours. There’s no-one else being vocal.”
Allegations revisited
The documentary revisits Combs’ career at the height of his influence in hip-hop and includes renewed allegations linking him to the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur.
It features police interview recordings of former gang member Duane “Keffe D” Davis, who claims Combs offered him $1m (£769,000) to kill Shakur. Davis, who is due to stand trial in 2026, now argues that his earlier statements were made under duress.
Another figure, Bad Boy Entertainment co-founder Kirk Burrowes, alleges in the film that he believes Combs “had a lot to do with the death of Tupac”. Combs has consistently denied any involvement.
The series also revisits numerous allegations of violence and intimidation, many previously raised in civil lawsuits, including claims of abuse by his former girlfriend Cassie, which were later settled. Combs has dismissed the accusations as “sickening” and “full of lies”.
Conviction and appeal
Two jurors from Combs’ recent trial are interviewed as well. In July, he was convicted on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution but acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking.
Combs is currently serving a 50-month prison sentence and has stated he intends to appeal.
