Hip-hop mogul and entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs was arrested Monday night and indicted on federal charges of sex trafficking and racketeering over a period of nearly two decades, according to federal documents unsealed on Tuesday.

The 14-page indictment alleges that Combs “abused, threatened and coerced women and others around him to fulfill his sexual desires, protect his reputation and conceal his conduct,“ the indictment read.

The indictment states the Grammy Award-winning Combs had, since at least 2008, “relied on the employees, resources, and influence of the multi-faced business empire that he led and controlled” to hide his actions, creating a “criminal enterprise whose members and associates engaged in and attempted to engage in, among other crimes, sex trafficking, forced labor, kidnapping, arson, bribery and obstruction of justice.” 

Combs lawyer Marc Agnifilo said the entertainer will plead not guilty, according to published reports. 

The indictment comes six months after federal agents raided Combs’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal investigation, and three months after Combs was seen in a 2016 surveillance video assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel, for which Combs apologized. 

In June, Combs sold his majority stake in the Revolt television network, which he founded in 2013 as one of four minority owned-and-operated channels launched in 2012 by Comcast as part of its acquisition of NBCUniversal. 

Hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs has sold his majority stake in the Revolt television network amid mounting legal issues revolving around multiple sexual abuse allegations.

Revolt, in a statement Tuesday, said Combs' shares in the Black-owned multiplatform media have been "fully redeemed and retired," although Revolt did not disclose specific financial details. Combs founded Revolt in 2013 as one of four minority owned-and-operated channels launched in 2012 by Comcast as part of its acquisition of NBCUniversal.

The company will now be majority-owned by its employees, according to Revolt CEO Detavio Samuels. “When I joined in 2020, I quickly realized two things: Our mission is bigger than any individual, and we are the largest engine for transformative change that just so happens to be a media company,” Samuels said in the statement. “Today, we are most proud of the transformation that our teams will experience as they shift from being employees to owners of the business they are helping to build. Black culture is global culture, and Revolt's superpower is being the home for creators that move culture globally, allowing us to build the most powerful storytelling engine for Black voices.”

The move comes seven months after Combs stepped down as chairman of Revolt amid lawsuits accusing the hip-hop mogul of sexual assault. 

In March, federal agents raided Combs’s homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal investigation. 

Last month, Combs was seen in a 2016 surveillance video assaulting his then-girlfriend Cassie in a Los Angeles hotel. Combs apologized days later. 

Sean “Diddy” Combs remains estranged from the Revolt television network he founded 10 years ago amid multiple sexual abuse claims against the hip-hop entrepreneur. 

Revolt Media Tuesday announced via social media Combs’s decision to step down as chairman of Revolt, although the hip-hop mogul had no “operational or day-to-day role in the business,” according to the company. Still, reports say the move is “temporary.”

“This decision helps to ensure that Revolt remains steadfastly focused on our mission to create meaningful content for the culture and amplify the voices of all Black people throughout this country and the African diaspora,” Revolt said in the statement.

Last week, Combs was accused of sexual assault by two women who filed suits on the eve of the expiration of the Adult Survivors Act, a New York law permitting victims of sexual abuse a one-year window to file civil action regardless of the statute of limitations, according to the Associated Press. The lawsuit came after Combs settled another sexual abuse lawsuit filed by entertainer Cassie, who alleged Combs beat and raped her, according to AP. Combs has maintained his innocence from all charges.

Combs founded Revolt in 2013 as one of four minority owned-and-operated channels launched in 2012 by Comcast as part of its acquisition of NBCUniversal. The network is currently headed by Detavio Samuels, who was named CEO in 2021.

Revolt has promoted network executive Detavio Samuels to chief executive officer, part of several senior management appointments announced by Revolt founder Sean “Diddy” Combs.

Samuels, formerly Revolt’s chief operating officer, will oversee the hip hop-themed cable network and digital service as it strives to create fresh and exciting content that produces long-lasting impact, according to the network. 

Read also: Five Spot: Detavio Samuels

Other senior management appointments include Colin McIntosh to chief operating officer and chief finance officer; and Deon Graham to chief brand officer of Combs Enterprises. 

Graham, Samuels and McIntosh will work alongside Cherisse McKenzie (Head of Content and Production), Angela Bundrant Turner (Head of Marketing and Public Relations), Mike Roche (Executive Vice President of Ad Sales), and James 'JB' Brown (Executive Vice President of Content Distribution), to shape the company's future, according to network officials. 

"My vision for Revolt was always to build the world's largest Black-owned media company powered by the smartest young executives from the culture," Combs said in a statement. "As we reimagine the future of the brand, it's important that we stay true to that mission and position real game-changers to lead the way."

Revolt TV this week will launch a new unscripted basketball competition series featuring several hip hop celebrities, the network announced Wednesday.

The eight-episode series, The Crew League, will feature Hip Hop celebrities such as Swae Lee, G Herbo and Jack Harlow as they and their “crews” go head to head against each other in a friendly basketball tournament, said the network. The winning team will receive a grand prize of $100,000, 50% of which will be donated to a nonprofit or social good initiative. Episodes will debut weekly on Revolt’s YouTube channel beginning Feb. 19 and then air three days later on Revolt’s linear cable channel. 

“The Crew League delivers Revolt’s mission of creating meaningful content that shifts cultural norms and offers a fresh perspective,” Revolt chairman Sean Combs said in a statement. “The Crew League is a  dope way for artists to do something they love, while still giving back to causes that are important to them.” 

Also Read: Five Spot: Detavio Samuels, Chief Operating Officer, Revolt TV

Comcast Cable will expand the reach of Revolt TV in new and existing markets as part of an agreement announced Thursday by both parties.

The Sean “Diddy” Combs-founded service will be added in HD to the Xfinity Digital Starter package in Philadelphia, Northern New Jersey, Orlando, West Palm Beach, Ft. Myers, Jacksonville, Tampa, Knoxville, Indianapolis, Charleston, and Augusta beginning Sept. 29, according to the network. In addition, in markets where Revolt has been available in standard definition as part of the Xfinity Digital Premier package, the network will be moved to Digital Starter in HD.

Neither Revolt nor Comcast would reveal subscriber numbers as part of the agreement. 

“Comcast was one of the first television distributors to carry REVOLT to millions of its customers when it launched in 2013, and we are very pleased to bring its creative music- and social justice-focused content to even more Xfinity TV customers across the country,” said Dana Strong, president, Xfinity Consumer Services.

Added Combs: “As one of very few Black-owned media platforms, it is important that we can reach our audiences wherever they are. We are excited to continue to grow with Comcast and deliver our content to millions of additional homes.”

As part of the agreement, the two companies will collaborate to create “impactful cultural content," including Black Voices on Mute, which will feature original content that will discuss the importance of voting and the history of voter suppression in the Black community, said Comcast and Revolt. 

“There is no better time than now to amplify Black stories and content, and we are excited to bring new programming from Revolt to our platform and recently launched content collection, Black Voices. Black Stories,” said Keesha Boyd, executive director, multicultural video & entertainment, Xfinity Consumer Services.

Sean "Diddy" Combs, whose Revolt network Comcast has pointed to in arguing it does not discriminate against minority-targeted networks, said Comcast's reference to Revolt is off base.  

That came in a public statement cited by Byron Allen, who is suing Comcast over alleged discrimination against his networks. As part of its defense, Comcast has pointed out that it carries Revolt. 

Related: Diddy Uses Kaitz Moment for Diversity Message (2017)

"[E]ntrepreneurs who started the channels ASPiRE, REVOLT, AFRO, and CLEO TV, have all launched with our support," a Comcast spokesperson said last week in response to criticisms of its suit leveled by Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.).

"While it is true that we are in business with Comcast, it is not accurate to use my name or my network as an example of inclusion," said Combs. "First, it's important that people really understand what's at stake. In its efforts to get the lawsuit filed by Byron Allen dismissed, Comcast has taken a legal approach that could weaken fundamental civil rights protections. I have a problem with this. The Civil Rights Act of 1866 section 1981 was designed to ensure Black people are able to do business in this country and not be denied because of race. Comcast is arguing that this law only applies if racial discrimination is the only factor that leads to a refusal to do business, which would be extremely hard to prove. If they are successful, it will become much harder for any victim of discrimination to seek justice in court.  

"By taking this stance in the Supreme Court," he said, "Comcast has put its legal tactics ahead of the rights of millions of Americans to be heard. This is not OK." 

The Supreme Court earlier this month heard oral argument in Comcast's challenge to a court decision on a suit spearheaded by Entertainment Studios chief Byron Allen against Comcast for allegedly discriminating in its non-carriage of networks. The lower court rejected Comcast's motion to dismiss the suit. 

Allen and the National Association of African American Owned Media brought the suit in 2015, claiming damages of $20 billion. A federal court dismissed the suit three times, but the decision was reversed by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit a year ago. Comcast wants the Supreme Court to reverse the Circuit Court decision, disputing Allen’s claims of a “vast conspiracy” to keep his networks off, pointing to the carriage of Revolt, among other nets, as evidence. Comcast argues that discrimination would have to be the "but for" cause of non-carriage, not simply a factor, and that the real "but for" was that the cable operator would have carried the networks but for the fact that there were solid business reasons not to, a point Allen strongly disputes. 

"By taking this stance in the Supreme Court, Comcast has put its legal tactics ahead of the rights of millions of Americans to be heard. This is not OK," said Combs."Comcast has made this about much more than Byron Allen, and now the civil rights of my children and my community are at stake. To be clear, anything that makes it harder to fight against discrimination is wrong. Comcast is choosing to be on the wrong side of history....REVOLT has never been in a position to truly compete on a fair playing field because it has not received the economic and distribution support necessary for real economic inclusion. Our relationship with Comcast is the illusion of economic inclusion." 

Allen, who pointed reporters toward the statement, suggested he would be using it as evidence at trial.  

"Today's statement from Sean 'Diddy' Combs proves our case," said Byron Allen, CEO of Entertainment Studios. "Mr. Combs' statement, and a lot more additional evidence from many others, is the reason Comcast does not want us to have our day in court, because Comcast knows we will prevail." 

“Comcast is proud of our strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, including an unmatched record of supporting diverse and independent networks, carrying 160 independent networks like Revolt, 100 of which are targeted to diverse audiences," said Comcast senior EVP and chief diversity officer David Cohen. "We are also proud to have launched eight new minority owned cable channels since 2011, including being the first company to launch Revolt and to bring the channel into millions of homes. From the start, we provided a long-term commitment to carriage of the channel and to its success as well as other African American owned channels that we carry on our systems. We are fierce defenders of the civil rights of minorities and women in America – and of the civil rights laws. It has always been our intention to maintain the strength of the civil rights laws, and we believe a review of the oral argument at the Supreme Court demonstrates that. Based on the oral argument, any fears that this case would have broad implications on civil rights enforcement have been proven unfounded.”

AT&T U-verse has reached a carriage deal with music channel Revolt, the company said Tuesday (July 21).

The network, founded by hip hop entrepreneur Sean “Diddy” Combs and launched in 2013 as one of four new minority-owned networks supported by Comcast as part of the Federal Communications Commission’s conditions for its 2010 acquisition of NBCUniversal, will be available to AT&T U-Verse subscribers as early as July 27, company officials said.

“AT&T is excited to bring Revolt programming to our customers,” said Mel Coker, chief marketing officer, AT&T Home Solutions. “Revolt is a great fit as we strive to bring our customers the content they want, when and where they want it.”

Added Combs: “This is a historical day for Revolt. With a major player like AT&T, more people will be able to access the hottest music and original content on every screen and device. This agreement shows the world that Revolt is a force in the media industry. “

The agreement comes as AT&T recently came under fire from hip hop rapper/producer Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson, who called the company “racist” in several tweets over the weekend. AT&T is in carriage negotiations with Starz, which carries Jackson starrer Power, which draws a predominantly African American audience.

Revolt TV is gearing up for inaugural music conference in Miami next month with talent and performance announcements.

Scheduled from Oct. 16 through 19 at the Fontainebleau Miami Beach Hotel, the Revolt Music Conference will feature live music and performances from Jhene Aiko, G Eazy, DJ Khaled, Rae Sremmurd, DJ Cassidy, Funk Flex, DJ VICE.

A spokesman for Revolt TV, which currently counts carriage on Comcast, Time Warner Cable and Century Link, said the network will announce additional artists and that is in the process of finalizing the programming block that will air on Oct. 17 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.

In addition to the live music, the Revolt Music Conference will feature 10 full conference panels, eight artist showcases, and countless networking opportunities designed to address key industry topics and discuss the ever-changing world of music and media.

The conference will combine education and entertainment over the course of two and a half days for 500 industry executives and students, as well as a remote audience through Revolt’s new iOS and iPhone app.

Attendees will learn what’s next for the future of music business from over 40 speakers including keynote sessions from Clear Channel chairman/CEO and MTV co-founder Bob Pittman; CEO of All Def Digital and co-founder of Def Jam Russell Simmons; and co-founder and chairman of Interscope Records Jimmy Iovine and chairman of Combs Enterprises and Revolt TV Sean Combs. Additional speakers include excutives from Shazam, Spotify, Beats by Dre, Pandora, Grey Advertising, VEVO, SoundCloud, Sirius XM, The Wall Street Journal, Billboard, and more.

The Music Weekender package encompasses daytime access to the exclusive Revolt pool and lawn, outdoor music showcases, reserved cabanas and daybeds, specialty curated drink and food menus, daytime entertainment and gaming, musical styling by Revolt guest DJs, and night events, including music showcases and expedited access to one of America’s top nightclubs, LIV. Learn more about Revolt Music Conference at www.revoltmusicconference.com or http://bit.ly/1Avqhrm.