A former gang member and music industry associate, Deon 'D1' Best, plans to sue Janice Combs, mother of Sean 'Diddy' Combs, over alleged fraudulent business practices at Bad Boy Entertainment.

Best, now 56 and a youth sports coach, claims that Diddy used his mother's name to conceal publishing rights and business dealings in the late 1990s. These allegations specifically involve several albums, including Notorious B.I.G.'s 'Born Again,' which achieved platinum status.

The lawsuit centers on Best's claim that his publishing rights were illegally assigned to Janice Combs, causing significant financial losses. Similar accusations emerged from rapper Ma$e in 2020, who also alleged that Diddy's mother was the custodian of various business deals.

Best's connection to Diddy dates back to the 1990s, when he served as a protector during West Coast visits and mediated tensions with Death Row Records' Suge Knight. He was also present the night Notorious B.I.G. was killed in March 1997.

These allegations add to Diddy's mounting legal troubles, as he currently faces federal charges including sex trafficking and racketeering, with a trial scheduled for May 2025. The lawsuit could have significant implications for Bad Boy Entertainment and similar industry practices, where label owners historically claimed portions of artists' publishing rights.

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