In an unexpected twist, Suge Knight, the founder of Death Row Records and longtime rival of Sean “Diddy” Combs, has come to Diddy’s defense. Speaking from prison in a recent interview with Chris Cuomo on May 27, Knight said that Diddy should be acquitted. “Puffy and I aren’t friends, but Puffy should definitely walk free,” Knight stated, using Diddy’s old nickname.
He emphasized that other executives involved in Diddy’s life are not facing charges, and it’s unfair that Diddy alone must stand trial, calling it a “sad day for hip-hop.”
Knight’s name has come up during testimony in Combs’ ongoing sex-crimes trial. For example, Combs’ ex-girlfriend Casandra “Cassie” Ventura Fine recalled an incident where Combs reportedly gathered weapons and went looking for Knight at a diner. Additionally, Capricorn Clark, Combs’ former assistant, testified that her personal ties to Knight—he is the father of her best friend’s children—created tension with Combs.
Knight also mentioned Clark’s alleged assault and how an Interscope Records executive supposedly gave her a $1 million settlement to stay silent about the incident involving Combs. Knight said the payout, believed to have come from Jimmy Iovine, led to serious fallout, but maintained his belief that Diddy does not deserve prison.
Although Knight is unrelated to Combs’ trial and is currently serving 28 years for voluntary manslaughter in a San Diego prison, his comments have drawn attention. Jimmy Iovine, co-founder of Interscope Records, has not appeared in court but has been referenced in testimony.
Clark previously testified that after her fallout with Combs, he attempted to blacklist her. She said she met with Iovine for a potential job but was instead warned on Combs’ behalf to stay away. The judge sustained the prosecution’s objection during this line of questioning.
