Jay-Z Once Said He ‘Knew What Characters Not to Have Around’ and Is Now ‘Infuriated’ He Trusted Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Jay-Z and Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs had a close personal and professional relationship for years. With the recent lawsuit against both men, which alleges that they raped a 13-year-old girl in 2000, Jay-Z reportedly regrets his connection to Combs. He has tried to distance himself from his former friend.
Jay-Z said he could read people well, but he now regrets trusting Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs
Jay-Z was a drug dealer in his teenage years. He said that the lessons he learned in that period of his life helped him as an adult. He felt he had a good sense of the type of person who was safe to be around.
“There were a lot of things that I lived in the street that helped me in the music business,” he told Vanity Fair in 2013. “I knew what characters not to have around me. Sometimes it’s the people around you — whether they want to impress you or they’re still in that life — they’re hotheaded. It’s really the entourage that can be the problem.”
Over a decade later, though, Jay-Z is reportedly kicking himself for spending time with the wrong type of person. He and Combs were named in a lawsuit alleging that they raped a 13-year-old girl.
“Beyoncé isn’t in a good place at all and is surrounded by her mother and other friends at their home in LA,” a source told the Daily Mail. “She has canceled some surprise promotional appearances. Jay has reassured her that he isn’t guilty of anything and is infuriated that his friendship with Diddy has dragged him into this.”
Jay-Z and Beyoncé worried that Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest could bring them trouble
Beyoncé and Jay-Z reportedly worried about something like this happening since Combs’ arrest in 2024.
“His name has been pulled into the Diddy drama from the beginning, so they knew something was going to happen. They just didn’t know when,” a source told Us Weekly. “Jay-Z professed to Beyoncé that he’s innocent and it’s a total money grab.”
They added that the couple feels “so upset” by the lawsuit.
He now claims he wasn’t good friends with Diddy
Jay-Z and Combs have spent time together for years, but the former is now trying to distance himself from the relationship.
“Mr. Carter has nothing to do with Mr. Combs’ case or Mr. Combs. They knew each other professionally for a number of years,” his lawyer, Alex Spiro, told Us Weekly. “Just like in all professions, people know each other. At the music awards, they support each other. If you go to the NBA All-Star game, they support each other. That’s just how professions work. There is no closer association between any of them. That’s also a matter of fiction.”
Spiro added that Jay-Z had no knowledge of any of the charges against Combs.
“[Jay-Z] doesn’t know anything about the charges or allegations against [Diddy],” Spiro said “He has nothing to do with that case and there’s nothing more to say.”
How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.
