NEW YORK — Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has honored a request from New York Mayor Eric Adams to return the key to the city he was given last year.
Combs got the key during a ceremony in Times Square in September 2023which coincided with the release of the artist’s album “The Love Album: Off The Grid.”
“The bad boy of entertainment gets the key to the city from the bad boy of politics,” Adams said at the time.
In the months since, Combs has faced lawsuits from multiple women accuses him of sexual abuse And abuse. A man also accused Combs of sexual misconduct.
In May 2024, surveillance video A 2016 incident was released showing Combs attacking singer Cassie, who was his girlfriend at the time, in the hallway of a Los Angeles hotel. Days after the video’s release, Combs posted a video on social media apologizing for the alleged attacksaying in part, “My behavior in that video is inexcusable.”
Adams asks “Diddy” to return the key to New York City
On June 4, the mayor wrote to one of Combs’ businesses, saying he was “deeply disturbed” by the surveillance video, and requesting the return of the key to the city.
“The Key to the City of New York is presented to individuals whose service to the public and common good achieves the highest levels of achievement and who serve as models for fellow and future New Yorkers. After internal consultation, the Key to the City of New York is presented. The New York City Commission has recommended that Mr. Combs’ key be annulled and revoked. I have accepted their recommendation,” Adams wrote.
The mayor requested that Combs send the key to City Hall immediately.
The mayor’s office said it received the returned key on Monday.
Earlier this month, Howard University has rescinded the honorary degree awarded to Combs in 2014 and cut financial ties with him.
