Sean “Diddy” Combs has experienced a significant uptick in streaming numbers following his recent arrest and the unsealing of a federal indictment against him. According to data from Luminate, his music streams surged by an average of 18.3% during the week of his arrest compared to the previous week.
George Howard, a music business management professor at Berklee College of Music, noted that this increase is often driven by curiosity. Listeners tend to revisit an artist’s work to understand the context of recent controversies. He likened it to a Google search, where fans seek to connect the artist’s music with the troubling allegations surrounding them.
Howard also pointed out that people now often think of Combs more as a businessman—due to his ventures like Revolt TV and Ciroc vodka—than as a musician. The “anonymization” of streaming platforms means that listeners can engage with an artist’s catalog without the social implications of purchasing physical music, making it easier to satisfy their curiosity.
Such spikes in streaming are not uncommon after controversies; for example, R. Kelly’s streams nearly doubled following allegations detailed in a documentary about his misconduct.
Combs faces serious charges, including sex trafficking and racketeering, with accusations dating back to 2008. He has pleaded not guilty and is currently awaiting trial.