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Al B. Sure! and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, two influential music figures, share a connection beyond the spotlight. Al B. Sure!, known for his smooth vocals and role in shaping the New Jack Swing era of the late 1980s, aligned with music executive Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records — a label that played a critical role in launching Combs’ career. Family ties further deepen their connection: Al B. Sure! is the biological father of Quincy Brown, whom Combs helped raise. Unfortunately, the R&B legend now thinks Combs’ federal legal battle “ruined” hip-hop.

Al B. Sure! condemned Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs for assisting in the ruin of hip-hop

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Al B. Sure! and Sean “Diddy’ Combs crossed paths in their personal and professional lives. While Combs dated Kim Porter on and off from 1994 to 2007, Al B. Sure! and Porter’s marriage only lasted about two years in the early ’90s. In recent years, Al B. Sure! has expressed more complex and, at times, critical views regarding Combs. While he has acknowledged Combs’ success and influence in the music industry, Al B. Sure! has also hinted at unresolved tensions and concerns about past industry dealings and personal dynamics.

Al B. Sure!’s forthcoming memoir, Do You Believe Me Now?, hits shelves on Sept. 9, 2025. He spoke to Fox 5 New York about his book and Combs’ current legal proceedings. Combs’ trial for sex trafficking and racketeering charges began in early May 2025.

“Listen, I have no interest in speaking about another man,” Al B. Sure! clarified. “But I will speak about where our paths cross and what’s most relevant. … Unfortunately, even with Sean being incarcerated, that’s not a celebration. There’s no celebration in it. First and foremost, there’s way too much collateral damage in many, many ways. Many peoples’ lives are affected. And, in fact, a genre of music that I grew up in is ruined right now.”

“I’m blaming this entire industry and the way it’s gone,” he continued, noting that Combs didn’t solely ruin a music genre. “There’s no one person that’s in charge. But, this level and this magnitude of a story … it’s unfortunate.”

Federal prosecutors subpoenaed Al B. Sure! in the mogul’s trial

Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal trial involves some of the biggest names in the music industry. Casandra “Cassie” Ventura, Combs’ ex-girlfriend, took the stand as the first witness. While speaking to Fox 5, Al B. Sure! mentioned that he had been subpoenaed and “absolutely” would testify if asked.

“My attorneys worked something out,” he explained. “So, I believe when the time is right, I’m going to discuss it with my attorneys.”

Al B. Sure! mentioned that he believes Combs, or people affiliated with Combs, caused his multi-organ failure that resulted in a two-month coma in 2022. “Absolutely,” he said. “My first time saying it.”

Al B. Sure! initially reacted to Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ arrest on social media

After Sean “Diddy” Combs’ arrest in September 2024, Al B. Sure! took to social media to post a cryptic reaction.

“Me talking about situations for over a decade and a half, and all of a sudden, everybody woke up like, ‘Woah, yo, we thought you were crazy!'” he told his phone camera, according to a clip posted to YouTube channel Gems-Eye View. “Yeah, I am crazy. But what I am not is a liar. That I’m not. All I did was give the science. I was ignored, laughed at, ridiculed, things of that nature. But that’s OK. My God is so much bigger. My God got me.”

How to get help: In the U.S., call the RAINN National Sexual Assault Telephone Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area. 

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