Fact Check: Was Drake inspired by Diddy to throw "freak off parties"? Viral tweet debunked

Amid the arrest of hip-hop mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs, a rumor about Drake has gone viral. A clip was shared by an X account @RyanNice, on September 17, 2024, in which Drake could be seen in a live session with Combs, praising the mogul. The post was captioned with:

"Drake was inspired by Diddy to host “freak off parties” this s*it is f*cking unreal in hindsight…"

The tweet claimed Drake talked about "freak off parties", (Photo via @RyanNice/X)

In the video, the Canadian rapper addressed Combs and said:

"All my brothers behind me, we're all trying to do the same thing, following your footsteps. You know every night we're here pounding the pavement doing what we can do, and we all take care of each other. So it's like you passing on the traditions and hustle onto us."

The account holder claimed that in the live session Drake was talking about getting inspired by Diddy to host "freak off parties." The caption, however, is misleading and Drake never claimed to be inspired by Diddy to host "freak off parties." The community notes for the tweet also mentioned the same.

Clairified by another X user, (Photo via @PelixansK/X)

A user commented that the video was actually from a livestream that happened on April 12, 2020, and that Drake was talking about music and business. Hence, the rumor was quickly debunked. The live session involved Combs talking to Drake, Will Smith, and Jordyn Woods. The community note under the misleading tweet read:

"The caption is click-bait, while the video has been edited. Nowhere does Drake mention being inspired by “freak offs”. He’s talking about business and music."

It is also important to note that the live stream happened a long time before the allegations and suits against Diddy started. So it could be concluded that the rumors are false.

KTVU reported that according to the indictment, "Freak Offs" were "gatherings where Diddy allegedly misused his power to lure victims into s*x acts with male commercial s*x workers."

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The concept of "freak off parties" came to question in the first place after the charges against Diddy were allegedly connected to them

For the unversed, Sean "Diddy" Combs got arrested by federal authorities on Monday, September 16, on several charges including racketeering, s*x trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution.

NBC News reported that amid the charges, claims of "freak off parties" and forced s*x have also been made against the music mogul. He had been accused of using controlled substances to ensure that they obeyed him.

The indictment against him read:

"During Freak Offs, Combs distributed a variety of controlled substances to victims, in part to keep the victims obedient and compliant. After Freak Offs, Combs and the victims typically received IV fluids to recover from the physical exertion and drug use."

KTVU reported that the mogul had further been accused of physically abusing victims by dragging and kicking them during and post performances, which ultimately led to injuries too. The individuals who allegedly helped him organize the "freak off parties" were referred to as the "Combs Enterprise" in the court documents.

According to the indictment, the people falling under the "Combs Enterprise" included "high-ranking supervisors, security staff, household staff, personal assistants, and other Combs Business employees."

Shedding light on the latest developments in the case, Combs had pleaded not guilty at a hearing in Manhattan. He, however, had been denied bail and was also expected to stay in custody.