Did Diddy's parties start at Howard University? Rapper's college stint explored

Diddy - the rap mogul whose net worth is estimated to be over $600 million - is currently behind bars in the Brooklyn Metropolitan Detention Center. Originally called Sean Combs, the rapper was arrested in Manhattan on September 16, following multiple allegations of sex trafficking filed against him.

As Diddy's career came under scrutiny, his infamous annual white parties were also scrutinized. These parties, thrown on the fourth of July with a strict white dress code, were recently revealed to be popular for the nudity that was on display there.

While Diddy threw the first-ever white parties in 1998 in the Hamptons, he was known for his parties long before that. An investigative Rolling Stones article published on May 29, 2024, revealed that the Victory rapper had a "reputation for throwing legendary, rowdy parties" from the first year of college.

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Howard University alums recall "fits of rage" at Diddy's parties

Sean "Diddy Combs" joined Howard University in 1987 and became popular for his parties quickly, Rolling Stones reported.

While university alums remembered the Bad Boys for Life rapper's parties for being "flamboyant" and "over-the-top," others recalled them for his "fits of rage, acts of unwanted touching, and public violence."

On one particular night, Combs allegedly showed up at the dorm of his then-girlfriend, screaming at her to come out. A former classmate of his told the media outlet:

"He screamed and hollered and acted a stone fool until she came downstairs."

After Diddy's girlfriend came out, he allegedly started beating her. The classmate - who remains anonymous - also shared that Sean was using what appeared to be a belt to strike her "all over the place," adding:

"She was trying to defend herself a little bit... She was crying. And we were telling him, 'Get off of her.' We were screaming for her."

Beyond physical abuse, Combs would often approach his girlfriend as she was attending classes, the former student revealed. The Show Me Your Soul rapper would tap on the window, asking her to ditch the lesson often. They further added:

"She would tense up [when Combs arrived]. Her energy shifted... He just had a weird control thing. I felt like she was fearful."

When Rolling Stones approached Diddy for a comment on the revelations, he denied making one, with his lawyer, Johnathan Davis, saying:

"We are aware that the proper authorities are conducting a thorough investigation and therefore have confidence any important issues will be addressed in the proper forum, where the rules distinguish facts from fiction."

Diddy took up the job as an intern at Uptown Records while he was a sophomore at the university, and dropped out to pursue the gig full-time soon afterward. While the Last Night rapper never finished college, he was awarded an honorary degree by his alma mater - Howard University - in 2014.

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Howard University revoked Diddy's honorary degree in June 2024

On May 20, 2024, CNN released an LA hotel surveillance footage from March 2016 on its network, which captured Sean Combs running behind his girlfriend - Cassie Ventura - in a towel, then grabbing her neck and throwing her on the ground.

The Bad Boy owner also delivers several kicks to the fallen Ventura and then drags her through the corridor back to their room.

After the video surfaced, Diddy's alma mater - Howard University - faced a lot of backlash for their continued association with the rapper. Its Board of Trustees was quick to take action, revoking his honorary degree on June 7. A statement released by the spokesperson of the historically Black university mentioned:

"Mr. Combs’ behavior as captured in a recently released video is so fundamentally incompatible with Howard University’s core values and beliefs that he is deemed no longer worthy to hold the institution’s highest honor."

The statement also highlighted the university's unwavering "opposition to all acts of interpersonal violence". Further addressing the subject of returning the donation of $1 million made to the college by the Satisfy You rapper, they confirmed:

"No payments toward the $1 million pledge have been due or made by the Sean Combs Foundation as of this date."

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As the trial against Sean Combs continues, he is being held in a detention center in Brooklyn following the rejection of his bail.