Diddy Do It? Unpacking the Viral P. Diddy Conspiracy Theories

If you're active on social media, you've likely heard speculation involving Sean 'P. Diddy' Combs and his circle of untouchable superstars, including Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

Rumors suggest that these artists might be linked to a series of tragic events, from the mysterious deaths of Aaliyah and Lisa “Left Eye” Lopes, to the untimely passing of Michael Jackson.

The conspiracies escalated following Combs’ recent arrest, resurging long-standing discussions around the artists. Here are the viral conspiracy theories swirling across social media.

Like_the_Grand_Canyon from Wikimedia Commons

“Thank you Beyoncé” Memes and Their Darker Implications

The “Thank You Beyoncé” memes have taken TikTok by storm.

One user joked, “Thanking Beyoncé when I get a good grade just in case.” Conspiracy theorists claim that anyone who achieves success in the music industry must acknowledge and thank Beyoncé, or else they will face dire consequences.

Proponents of this theory argue that the late R&B singer Aaliyah was murdered to pave the way for Beyoncé’s rise to fame. Others point to Beyoncé’s comparison of herself to Oshun, the goddess of female sensuality, in her song 'Hold Up' as a symbol of her power.

This discourse traces back to many notable moments from award shows, such as Kanye West’s infamous interruption of Taylor Swift at the 2009 VMAS, where he declared that Beyoncé should have won. Although this sparked significant controversy and eventually led to West being “cancelled,” internet conspiracists now speculate that he may have done this to save a young and naive Swift from the all-powerful Queen Bey.

At the 2011 VMAs, Britney Spears praised Beyoncé upon her win, with Lady Gaga chiming in, expressing how much of an idol the singer is. In 2017, after winning Album of the Year at the GRAMMYs against Beyoncé, Adele cried, calling Bey “the artist of [her] life” and dedicating much of her speech to her. Similarly, last year, Lizzo mentioned skipping class to see Beyoncé in her speech when she won Record of the Year.

J. Cole’s Ominous Lyrics in “She Knows”

Theories have emerged from J. Cole’s 2013 lyrics in “She Knows”: "Only bad thing 'bout a star is they burn up / Rest in peace to Aaliyah / Rest in peace to Left Eye / Michael Jackson, I'll see ya / Just as soon as I die." A viral conspiracy theory posits that Jay-Z, Beyoncé, and Diddy are all involved in the deaths of Michael Jackson, Aaliyah, and Left Eye.

Some theorists also interpret “She knows” as a substitute for “She Knowles”, referencing Beyoncé’s maiden name. Many have also highlighted an alarming connection about the 25th of the month—when all three artists mysteriously passed away.

Raph_PH from Wikimedia Commons

Michael Jackson's Mysterious Death

Since Michael Jackson's sudden death in 2009, many theories have emerged about what really happened.

The latest one is that Jackson was murdered due to his outspoken criticism of the music industry, particularly Tommy Mottola, a prominent music executive at Sony Music, whom he publicly accused of exploiting artists and constraining their creativity. Jackson even went as far as accusing him of abusing Mariah Carey, who was his a close friend and Mottola's wife at the time.

In the years leading up to his death, Jackson faced numerous accusations of sexual abuse that were eventually proven to be false, which many of his supporters believe were orchestrated to silence him. After Jackson was found dead due to a drug overdose, his doctor was sentenced to only four years in prison for manslaughter, and his sister, La Toya Jackson, even spoke out, saying that her brother was paranoid, believing that people were out to get him.

The conspiracy extends even further, suggesting that figures like Jay-Z and P. Diddy were involved due to their ties to Mottola. There is even speculation about secret tunnels connecting the homes of Diddy and Michael Jackson because the artists lived on the same street. When Jackson was accused of pedophilia in one interview, he said, “Go to the guy down the street.” People now believe he was hinting at Diddy's crimes, and that he had him executed for knowing too much.

Diddy’s Alleged Role in Tupac’s Death

P. Diddy has been implicated in the investigation surrounding Tupac Shakur’s death. The iconic rapper was shot in a drive-by incident in Las Vegas in 1996, and the case remained unsolved for years.

In September 2023, a gang leader named Duane “Keefe D” Davis was arrested and claimed that Combs offered him $1 million for the assassination. He is scheduled to stand trial in March 2025.

Recently, Tupac’s family hired attorney Alex Spiro to investigate Diddy and any potential links to the murder. Spiro has also represented stars like Megan Thee Stallion, Jay-Z, Alec Baldwin, and Elon Musk. Tupac’s brother, Mopreme Shakur, has publicly stated that he believes Combs’ claims of having no involvement in the rapper’s death are untrue, and he has been accusing him of his involvement as early as 2008.

Justin Bieber’s Connection

Videos of a young Justin Bieber being mentored by Diddy have also resurfaced, particularly “48 Hours with Diddy”. In the video, Combs said, “[Justin] is having 48 hours with Diddy, where we hanging out and what we're doing we can't really disclose,” adding, “But it's definitely a 15-year-old's dream.” TikTok users are convinced that Bieber’s 2020 hit “Yummy” contains hidden messages referencing Diddy’s infamous “freak-off” parties, and that he was a victim himself.

In the video, numerous impersonators of well-known celebrities eat desserts off of a plate featuring photos of a young Justin Bieber, which many suspect hints at child trafficking and pedophilia. Although Bieber has not publicly commented on these theories, sources indicate that he has been “advised to stay as far away as possible from anything and everything related to Diddy” and is currently focusing on his wife and newborn child.

Joe Bielawa from Wikimedia Commons

Overall, whether all of these theories are true or not, P. Diddy’s case has shed light on deep, unsettling issues within Hollywood and among many big-name artists. As more information comes out, many wonder what the future of the music industry holds, and how these revelations might shape Diddy himself.