Diddy has a support system in Ebro Darden, who questioned why the music mogul gets more scrutiny for his business dealings than other executives.
The famed radio personality dove into the topic of Diddy and his business acumen on a new episode of his Apple Music show Rap Life released on Wednesday (September 13). Following news that the Bad Boy founder recently gave his artists back their publishing rights, Ebro shared his thoughts.
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“The business dealings that Diddy has done are the same business dealings that other record executives and other record labels have done,” Darden began. “But because it’s Diddy and he’s part of our community and he makes himself accessible, obviously people are screaming at him to do deals that are more in favor of the artists. Better deals.”
He continued: I’ve always thought that the only reason we do that is because A – he’s Black and B – we know him. But we ain’t yelling at any other executive that we don’t see their face. That have done worse dealings for Black music, literally since the inception of Black music.”
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Ebro concluded: “But I think there’s an expectation because he’s Black and because he’s of the culture, ‘He’s going to do something different.’ And because he didn’t or he is doing now, people got something to say.”
You can view the full clip below:
Mark Curry was one such critic of Diddy’s business dealings. As one former Bad Boy artist to receive his publishing rights back, Curry posted a lengthy video on Instagram addressing his former label boss’ decision to give musicians full control over their catalogs, pointing out that it is still in Puff’s best interest.
“What’s it worth now?” he asked. “He gave me mine back a long time ago … That’s disrespectful — I said why don’t you just keep it and pay me? I don’t want the publishing; I want the money.”
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The caption of the Instagram clip read: “Diddy gave the publishing back.:. So what.. it has no value… I want him to give me a million cash and then I can plan the rest of my life out well.”
In the comments section, Curry put things in perspective by adding: “Ever had somebody owe you 50 dollars.. when you needed it back.. they didn’t pay you.. then by the time they do pay you.. the 50 dollars doesn’t mean the same as it did when you needed it?
“That’s how I feel… I wanted that when it was making money.. not after it’s all gone.. what I’ma do with that? In fact.. it’s an insult.”
Artists such as Ma$e, The LOX and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. all now have the rights to their own music, as do the songwriters on several of their biggest hits. Faith Evans and 112 have also reportedly been given back their publishing.
Sources with direct knowledge of the deal told TMZ that Puff was offered “nine figures” for the catalogs, but chose instead to revert the publishing rights back to the artists.
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“We’re told the rationale for this boils down to wanting to revolutionize the industry with this to empower artists and to switch up the dynamic — which has been a certain way for a long time. As part of his legacy, Diddy’s hoping to enrich others in his community,” reported the outlet.
