In an exclusive interview with celebrity news outlet TMZ, record producer Stevie J firmly stood by his friend and frequent collaborator Sean “Diddy” Combs amid the explosive sexual assault lawsuit filed against the music mogul last month. The allegations in the lawsuit, brought by former producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, include claims of grooming, sexual abuse, and unauthorized dissemination of explicit videos.
Stevie J, whose real name is Steven Jordan, was adamant in his defense of Diddy’s character. “I’ve never seen my man do anything foul like they talking about,” he stated. “I’ve known him for 29 years.” The two have worked together extensively over their long careers, including on Diddy’s 2022 album “Love.”
The lawsuit contains graphic claims that Diddy shared an explicit video allegedly depicting Stevie J engaged in a sex act in an effort to “ease” Lil Rod’s “anxiety concerning homosexuality.” However, Stevie J dismissed implications of his involvement, saying “Whatever someone does in their bedroom that’s what they do. I got nothing to do with that.”
He also took aim at rapper 50 Cent, who has engaged in a social media campaign mocking Diddy over the allegations. “I’m not concerned about this n****a Curtis, he’s Uncle Tom and that’s what it is,” Stevie J said, using a slur to criticize 50 Cent.
The specifics of the lawsuit’s claims remain unproven in court. However, the seriousness of the allegations prompted a raid on Diddy’s homes last month by federal agents from Homeland Security Investigations. Stevie J, who was present during the raid on Diddy’s Miami mansion, likened the scene to raids targeting notorious criminals.
“I’m not a spring chicken, I’ve witnessed excessive force before, but I’ve never seen anything like this,” he recounted. “It looked like they were going for Pablo Escobar, Saddam Hussein, or Osama bin Laden.”
Despite the raid, agents departed with only “a single bag” of evidence according to Stevie J’s recollection. Homeland Security has not commented on the investigation.
Sexual misconduct allegations have plagued the hip-hop industry for decades. In 1994, Diddy’s former producer and friend Mary J. Blige accused famed record executive Eddie Emmerson of sexual harassment in a lawsuit. More recently, multiple women came forward in 2021 accusing rapper T.I. and his wife Tiny of sexual assault.
While the claims in Lil Rod’s lawsuit are unproven, the lack of clarity around the case has already impacted Diddy’s business reputation. In February, his multimedia network Revolt drew internal controversy over the decision to broadcast an interview with former employee Mona Scott-Young addressing the accusations against him.
For his part, Stevie J has vociferously stood by his “man” Diddy despite the disturbing nature of the allegations. Only time and the legal process will determine whether his faith in his friend’s innocence is justified. Diddy has denied all claims through his representatives.
