Diddy's radio play and streaming figures significantly dropped during his trial, marking a substantial decline in his influential music career.
Sean "Diddy" Combs experienced a drastic decrease in radio airplay and streaming numbers as he faced a sex trafficking trial in New York City. This decline represents a notable downfall for the once-prominent Hip-Hop mogul known for his chart-topping songs and high sales.
Data from Luminate, as reported by Billboard, shows that Diddy's radio spins plummeted by 86% compared to the previous year, with only 1,671 plays in the initial 16 weeks of 2025 versus 11,870 in the same period in 2024. This decline coincided with the lead-up to his trial, where he is accused of operating an enterprise involving abuse, coercion, and sexual exploitation.
Although his music remains available for streaming, his streaming numbers have also suffered, dropping nearly 45% from 52.7 million on-demand streams in early 2024 to 29 million in the current year.
The decrease in radio airplay could potentially reduce his publishing royalties by 6% to 9%, resulting in a potential loss of approximately $34,300 in radio-related earnings. Previously, Diddy reportedly earned around $2.4 million annually from master recordings and an additional $600,000 from publishing royalties between 2021 and 2023.
The current backlash is reshaping how Diddy's music is consumed and promoted. Commercial radio DJs have significantly decreased playing his tracks while favoring those of his longtime collaborator, Notorious B.I.G., who received over 63,000 spins in a recent period.
The repercussions stemmed from Diddy's arrest in September 2024 on federal charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy. He is accused of using his business empire for illegal activities such as sex trafficking, forced labor, and bribery. The indictment details disturbing events where women were allegedly coerced into engaging in sexual acts under the influence of drugs during events known as "Freak Offs."
Despite facing five criminal charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking, Diddy has pleaded not guilty and claims his relationships were consensual. His arrest preceding the trial led to him being held without bail, and he turned down a plea deal. Testimonies from four women identified as Victims 1 through 4 are expected during the trial.