Diddy’s mother sued for allegedly seizing Bad Boy Entertainment stake from co-founder

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ mother, Janice Smalls Combs, is facing a lawsuit from Kirk Burrowes, co-founder and former president of Bad Boy Entertainment. According to Daily Mail, the lawsuit accuses Janice of fraud and financial concealment, alleging that she secretly assumed control of Burrowes’ 25% ownership stake in the record label.

The suit was filed in a Manhattan federal court. Burrowes claims that in 1996, Diddy coerced him into signing over his shares through intimidation and violence. He also claimed that the ownership was later transferred to Janice Combs.

He argues that she actively participated in a scheme to keep him from reclaiming his stake and maintained a facade of innocence. The lawsuit seeks financial compensation, reinstatement of his ownership, and an audit of Bad Boy Entertainment’s finances.

A bit of context

Bad Boy Entertainment was founded in 1993. It was quick to become one of the influential hip-hop labels of its time in the industry. Sean “Diddy” Combs built the label into a reputed house as he launched the careers of artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Ma$e, and 112, among others, under the label.

Kirk Burrowes reportedly played a major role in shaping the company. He oversaw operations as the president. According to past interviews, Diddy credited Burrowes for professionalizing the label, Daily Mail reports.

However, their partnership ended in controversy. It led to Burrowes’ exit in the late 1990s. Janice Smalls Combs, Diddy’s mother, has reportedly remained behind the scenes in her son’s business-related matters. Now, the lawsuit puts her as a central figure in the alleged takeover of Burrowes’ stake in Bad Boy Entertainment.

Per Rolling Stone, the 53-page-long filing of the lawsuit states,

"Smalls carefully maintained a facade of integrity, portraying herself as an innocent bystander while orchestrating plaintiff’s financial and professional downfall behind the scenes. Through false assurances and calculated deceit, defendant Smalls led plaintiff to believe that she had no knowledge of the fraudulent transfer, effectively suppressing any opportunity for plaintiff to reclaim his rightful stake in [Bad Boy]"

Allegations of coercion and fraud against Diddy and his mother

Burrowes’ lawsuit mentions an alleged incident from May 1996 when he says Diddy and Bad Boy attorney Kenneth Meiselas stormed into his New York office. He claims Diddy threatened him into signing documents that relinquished his 25% stake in the company.

Reports claim that Burrowes asserts that Diddy's mother Janice Smalls Combs was not present at the time, but she was the one who orchestrated the scheme.

He alleges that she later reassured him that she would help rectify the situation but instead continued to benefit from the stake. Additionally, he claims she misled him into believing she had no knowledge of the fraudulent transfer.

Janice has yet to publicly respond to the allegations.

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