In a recent interview, Sean “Diddy” Combs’ longtime rival Marion “Suge” Knight asserted that Diddy’s alleged wrongdoing “was taught from people before him, and he did it to the younger people after him.”
The former CEO and founder of Death Row Records, currently serving nearly three decades for voluntary manslaughter, spoke to NewsNation on September 24 via a phone call from prison. He stated that artists associated with his label initially engaged only in smoking weed; however, upon signing with other record labels, particularly Diddy’s Bad Boy Records, they allegedly became involved with “heavier drugs.”
“Those guys… they introduced cocaine to my artists. So once they got on cocaine, once they got on drugs, once they got on alcohol, then that’s when the weird stuff happened. I think that’s what took Puffy [Combs] down that lane,” claimed the 59-year-old Knight.
Marion Knight further alleged that record executives Clive Davis, Russell Simmons, and the late Andre Harrell used “alcohol and drugs” to “compromise” Diddy’s “manhood.” According to Knight, Combs subsequently employed similar tactics on artists like Usher and Justin Bieber.
Essential Insights on Clive Davis and Andre Harrell in Light of Suge Knight’s Allegations Against Diddy
Clive Davis
Clive Davis is a prominent record producer and A&R executive who served as General Counsel for Columbia Records before being appointed Vice President and General Manager in 1966. He eventually became the company’s President in 1967. Davis is renowned for signing several iconic rock artists to the label, including Billy Joel, Bruce Springsteen, Neil Diamond, Pink Floyd, and Herbie Hancock.
Additionally, he has signed artists from diverse genres such as R&B, country, jazz, and pop, including Garfunkel, Bob Dylan, Barbra Streisand, Miles Davis, and Andy Williams. In 1974, Davis founded Arista Records, helping to launch the careers of Barry Manilow, Whitney Houston, Patti Smith, Kenny G, and Sarah McLachlan.
Davis later established Arista Nashville to promote country music, signing notable artists like Alan Jackson and Brad Paisley. Now 92 years old, Davis was instrumental in the creation of LaFace Records, which promoted artists like Usher, Pink, and Toni Braxton during the 1990s.
In 1994, Davis entered into a 50/50 joint venture with Diddy to create Bad Boy Records, successfully signing artists such as Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, 112, and Sean Combs himself. Bad Boy Records rapidly ascended to become one of the most successful labels in the hip-hop industry.
In 2000, Davis founded J Records and introduced Alicia Keys. He later served as chairman and CEO of various labels, including RCA Music Record (2002-2008) and BMG North America, and has been the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainment since 2008.
The father of four has received multiple Grammy Awards and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000. As a humanitarian, he has advocated for cancer and HIV/AIDS patients since the 1980s. Davis, born and raised in Brooklyn, later settled in Manhattan and established the Department of Recorded Music at the Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, which was subsequently renamed the Clive Davis Institute of Recorded Music. Notably, the art theater inside the Grammy Museum in NYC also bears his name. Apart from being a record executive, the New Yorker has authored books and practiced law, and previously attended Harvard Law School.
Andre Harrell
Andre Harrell was a notable record executive, producer, rapper, and media proprietor. He gained recognition in 1976 by forming the East Coast hip-hop duo Dr. Jeckyll & Mr. Hyde with his high school friend Alonzo Brown, producing hit tracks such as “Fast Life”and “AM/PM.”
A native of Harlem, New York, Harrell dropped out of Lehman College, where he studied communications and business management. He started his career at gospel station WWRL as an account executive before moving to local radio station WINS. In 1983, he joined Russell Simmons’ RUSH Management, quickly rising to General Manager and Vice President while launching careers of stars like LL Cool J.
In 1986, Harrell founded his own label, Uptown Records, which produced music across hip-hop and contemporary R&B genres, signing artists including Al B. Sure, Notorious B.I.G., Guy, Jodeci, McGruff, Sean Combs, Lost Boyz, and The Gyrlz. Uptown Records later secured a distribution deal with MCA Records, continuing to build a roster of influential artists.
Harrell is often credited with giving Diddy his first break and recognizing his talent in the early 1990s. Between 1995 and 1997, he served as CEO of Motown Records, collaborating with icons like Queen Latifah and Stevie Wonder.
His other notable endeavors include founding Nu Records, serving as Vice Chairman of Diddy’s multimedia firm, Revolt TV Network, and working as an executive producer on Fox’s TV show New York Undercover as well as the films Strictly Business and Honey.
Andre Harrell passed away in 2020 at the age of 59 due to heart failure.
In Summary: Examining Suge Knight’s Allegations Against Clive Davis and Andre Harrell
During his interview with NewsNation, Suge Knight accused Clive Davis, Andre Harrell, and Russell Simmons of exploiting Sean “Diddy”Combs by using drugs and alcohol to compromise him.
He further alleged that Diddy, as a victim of this abuse, subsequently targeted others, including Usher and Justin Bieber, who were mentored by Combs.
“[Combs] was taught that. He got Usher as a kid … alcohol, drugs, s*x. Justin Bieber — and see they do these things to take control. … You choose to be gay that’s your preference, but they’re doing this to people for control,” Marion remarked to NewsNation’s Chris Cuomo.
Importantly, neither Clive Davis nor Andre Harrell has faced accusations or charges relating to the alleged misconduct mentioned. Following Suge Knight’s claims, a representative for Clive Davis told Page Six that these assertions are “completely fabricated” and “trafficked by an incarcerated felon.”
“Mr. Knight’s assertions about Clive Davis are 100 percent false as nothing of the sort ever happened. Clive is a mentor to artists and, in keeping with this, never ever condoned any such inappropriate behavior,” the spokesperson asserted.
So far, neither the late Andre Harrell’s family nor his representatives have responded to the allegations made by Suge Knight.
Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons has also not commented on the accusations. However, he has faced multiple sexual misconduct allegations in the past, resulting in his retirement and a secluded life in Bali, Indonesia, according to the Los Angeles Times. He has neither admitted nor denied these allegations.
Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested by federal agents on September 16 in New York on charges related to sex trafficking by force, fraud, or coercion, as well as racketeering conspiracy and transportation to engage in prostitution.
He is currently being held without bond at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn and has been denied bail twice. Diddy has pleaded “not guilty” and faces a potential sentence of 15 years to life in prison if convicted.
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