Mark Ronson Said Diddy Left Him Feeling ‘Starstruck’ and ‘Unnerved’ Despite Limited Interactions

Mark Ronson is best known as a music producer now, but once upon a time, he spent hours each night behind turntables. Largely pushed into the shadows during events, the DJ offered up music to Hollywood’s most elite and famous in the 1990s. Over the years, he rubbed shoulders with all types of stars. Some, like Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, were more memorable than others. As Diddy awaits sentencing, Ronson has published a book about his life, including his years as a DJ and the unique experiences the career path brought him. He used some of that book to discuss Diddy. While Mark Ronson insists they were never friendly or close, he did interact briefly with Diddy. Ronson’s recollection of the now-disgraced music mogul isn’t all that great. ‘

Mark Ronson said interacting with Diddy was an odd experience

At this point in his life and career, you would think there wasn’t a single star that Mark Ronson would be starstruck by. Back when he first met Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, that was not the case. At the time, Ronson was an established but still lesser-known DJ. Diddy was a staple of the New York City nightlife, complete with an entourage.

In his memoir, Night People: How to Be a DJ in ’90s New York City, Ronson recalled working at Diddy’s parties as a DJ and watching him from afar. The music producer admits that they may have exchanged a total of five sentences over the course of multiple meetings. Still, he remembered them.

Ronson described a mix of being “starstruck” and “unnerved” after each Diddy interaction. He called the disgraced mogul’s energy “chaotic” and “magnetic.” In the book, he admits to approaching the jobs with trepidation. Diddy, then at the height of his party days, already had a reputation. Diddy could make or break a career, and DJing at his parties was a calculated risk for someone like Ronson.

Was the DJ-turned-producer called as a witness in Diddy’s trial?

Mark Ronson, now known for his music production skills, spent enough time around Diddy to form an opinion on the disgraced mogul, but his take on the rapper and his parties did not make it onto the stand. Despite being acquainted with Diddy’s infamous parties, Mark Ronson was not named as a witness at Diddy’s sex trafficking and racketeering trial.  

The prosecution, which has largely been criticized for its trial strategy, focused more intently on the women whom Diddy harmed and the people who worked for him during that time period. Cassie Ventura, who dated Diddy, spent several days on the stand. Dawn Richard, who worked with Diddy, testified against him, too. Additional witnesses, including girlfriends and assistants, as well as Kid Cudi, took the stand during the felony trial. Several names that were originally bandied about in speculation circles were never called.

Diddy’s sentencing is set for October 3. He has been in a federal lockup in Brooklyn since September 2024.