Rapper and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs has reached a settlement with spirits giant Diageo, withdrawing his lawsuit and putting an end to allegations of racism. This development marks the resolution of all disputes between the two parties.
A Resolution for Diddy and Diageo
In a joint statement released on Tuesday, Combs and Diageo confirmed their agreement to settle their differences. As part of the settlement, Diageo is now the sole owner of Ciroc vodka and DeLeon tequila, both of which Combs had previously co-owned and promoted. Going forward, there will be no business relationship between Combs and Diageo.
While the details of the settlement were not disclosed, this resolution brings closure to a legal battle that began in May. At the time, Combs had sued Diageo, alleging that the company failed to fulfill promised investments in Ciroc and DeLeon, treating them as inferior “urban” products.
Accusations of Racism Denied
Combs, who signed a promotional deal with Ciroc in 2007 and purchased DeLeon with Diageo in 2013, also accused Diageo of racism. Court filings revealed that Combs claimed he was told by Diageo leadership that race played a role in limiting distribution to “urban” neighborhoods. Additionally, he alleged that some Diageo leaders resented his financial success.
Diageo vehemently denied these allegations, describing them as “false and reckless.” In response, the company accused Combs of making these claims in an attempt to extract additional money from them.
A Setback and a Settlement
The lawsuit against Diageo took a toll on Combs’ reputation. In November, he faced another lawsuit, this time from R&B singer Cassie, who accused him of subjecting her to a years-long abusive relationship that included beatings and rape. However, Combs settled the lawsuit with Cassie soon after it was filed, bringing an end to that legal dispute as well.
As with any settlement, this resolution allows both parties to move forward without further litigation or public disagreement.
This article was originally published on F5 Magazine.