In December 1997, Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, made threats to Vibe magazine's editor-in-chief Danyel Smith over magazine covers.
Smith refused to show Combs the covers due to company policy.
In December 1997, a dispute over magazine covers between Sean Combs, also known as Diddy, and the editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine, Danyel Smith, led to alarming threats from Combs. The incident took place during a time when Combs was known for his aggressive behavior and had previously been found guilty of threatening a New York Post photographer with a gun and allegedly beating a woman at his Bad Boy offices.
Smith recalled the events in an essay published in The New York Times Magazine on July 12, 2024. She described how Combs demanded to see the covers for Vibe's December/January double issue, which featured him depicted as both an angel and a devil. When she refused to comply with his request, citing company policy, Combs allegedly threatened her life.
According to Smith's account, Combs called her and said he would see her
Vibe magazine was started by Quincy Jones and Time Inc. in 1992.
Sean Combs was named label boss of Bad Boy Records, which had a $100 million year due to the success of artists like Biggie and Mase.
The author wanted to feature Combs on the cover of Vibe’s December 1997/January 1998 double issue and have him wear white feathered wings.
The photo shoot took place in Manhattan in September 1997, and the author wore yoga pants and an oversized T-shirt to minimize her bust.
Accuracy
Vibe magazine, which chronicled Black music and culture, was started by Quincy Jones and Time Inc. in 1992.
Deception
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Fallacies
(75%)
The article contains a personal account of the author's experiences with Sean Combs in the music industry. There are some generalizations made about the behavior of men in the industry but no specific logical fallacies identified within those statements. The author states that Combs was 'demonstrative of the way dynamic and domineering men moved' in that time, which is a generalization and not a direct fallacy.
Looking back on my life as a woman in the music industry, I’m unsettled by the inescapable sexism perpetrated by Sean Combs and others.
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly threatened former editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine, Danyel Smith, over the publication of the December/January double issue covers in 1997.
Combs had a reputation for shaking tables and had previously been found guilty of threatening a New York Post photographer with a gun and allegedly beating a woman at his Bad Boy offices.
Smith alleged that Combs threatened her, saying ‘he would see me dead in the trunk of a car.’
Following the threat, Smith reached out to her lawyer and discovered that some servers containing the issue had been stolen from Vibe’s office.
A few days later, Combs called the office and asked to speak with Smith. He repeated his demand to see the covers.
Combs eventually faxed over an apology after being contacted by Smith’s lawyer.
Accuracy
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly threatened former editor-in-chief of Vibe magazine, Danyel Smith, saying ‘he would see me dead in the trunk of a car.’
Deception
(30%)
The article contains selective reporting as it only reports details that support the author's position about Diddy's alleged threats to Danyel Smith. The article also uses emotional manipulation by describing the alleged incident in a sensational and dramatic way, implying danger and fear. Additionally, there is no disclosure of sources in the article.
The former Vibe editor-in-chief also shared the alleged incident in her own memoir, Shine Bright: A Very Personal History of Black Women in Pop, which was released in April 2022
The rapper gave a call to the office, and asked to speak with Danyel.' He was still on message: He wanted to see the covers. I was still on message: It's not what we do.' She then alleged that he told her 'he would see me "dead in the trunk of a car." Not missing a beat, I told him he needed to take that threat back.'
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(5%)
The authors use language that depicts Diddy as a threat and someone who has a reputation for shaking tables. They also quote Smith stating that Diddy threatened her with death. This demonstrates a clear bias against Diddy.
> He had a reputation for shaking tables.<br> > I told him he needed to take back the threat.<br> > He was still on message: He wanted to see the covers. I was still on message: It's not what we do.<br> > 'He would see me dead in the trunk of a car.', Not missing a beat, I told him he needed to take that threat back.<br> > 'I know where you are right now. Right on Lexington.'
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs allegedly threatened former Vibe magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith that she would be ‘dead in the trunk of her car’ after she refused to let him see his magazine cover ahead of publication.
Combs requested to see the covers, which went against Vibe’s policy and was denied by Smith.
Fearing for her safety, Smith and Vibe employees made a plan to keep her safe if Combs appeared at the office.
Combs entered the office with two security guards and asked for Smith. Employees helped her escape in a taxi with the cover proofs.
The next day, Combs called the office alleging that he wanted to see the covers. Smith threatened to call her lawyer if he didn’t take back his alleged threat.
Combs faxed over an apology two hours later after legal action was threatened.
Accuracy
Sean 'Diddy' Combs allegedly threatened former Vibe magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith that she would be ‘dead in the trunk of her car’ after she refused to let him see his magazine cover ahead of publication.
In 1997, Diddy requested to see the covers, which went against Vibe’s policy and was denied by Smith.
Deception
(30%)
The author, Tatiana Tenreyro, uses emotional manipulation and sensationalism in her article by describing Combs' alleged threat as 'dead in the trunk of a car'. This is a common phrase used to describe violent threats involving kidnapping and murder. The author also selectively reports details that support her position by focusing on Combs' alleged threatening behavior, while omitting any context about his side of the story or potential reasons for his actions. There is no disclosure of sources in the article.
The author describes Combs' alleged threat as 'dead in the trunk of a car'
The author focuses on Combs' alleged threatening behavior without providing any context about his side of the story or potential reasons for his actions
Fallacies
(100%)
None Found At Time Of
Publication
Bias
(95%)
The author, Tatiana Tenreyro, reports on an alleged threat made by Sean Combs towards Danyel Smith. The article does not contain any overtly biased language or statements from the author. However, the article does describe a threatening situation where Combs allegedly threatened to harm Smith if she did not comply with his request to see the magazine cover before publication. This incident could be perceived as an example of monetary bias, as Combs is reportedly using his power and influence to try and control the content of the magazine. The author does not explicitly state this as her reasoning, but it can be inferred from the information provided.
Sean Combs allegedly threatened that former Vibe magazine editor-in-chief Danyel Smith would be ‘dead in the trunk of her car’ after she refused to let him see his magazine cover ahead of publication.
In 1997, Diddy allegedly threatened Vibe magazine editor Danyel Smith over a cover dispute.
Diddy promised to storm Vibe offices in Midtown East to select images for the cover.
Smith claims Diddy threatened her with death and forced her to hide proofs from him.
After getting lawyers involved, Diddy faxed an apology hours later but servers containing the files were stolen.
Vibe only managed to publish the issue due to an art director having proofs at home.
Accuracy
Diddy threatened Smith with death and forced her to hide proofs from him.
Combs entered the office with two security guards and asked for Smith.
Deception
(80%)
The article contains several instances of selective reporting and emotional manipulation. The author focuses on the alleged threat made by Diddy towards her, while omitting important context such as the fact that Diddy had previously been selected as the cover star for Vibe magazine following Biggie's death and the success of 'I'll Be Missing You'. The author also implies that Diddy's behavior was heinous and criminal without providing any evidence beyond her own account. Additionally, the article makes an emotional appeal by describing Smith's fear and the danger she faced, which is intended to elicit a strong emotional response from readers.
Diddy allegedly threatened Vibe magazine editor Danyel Smith in 1997, telling her that she would end up ‘dead in the trunk of a car’ over a dispute about his cover story, Smith claims.
Much of the incident she’d hidden in her mind. ‘Considering this nauseating image of myself running and hiding from Combs, of people at work protecting me, made me confront other things I’d possibly repressed about that feral and fantastic time in my life.’
Diddy threatened former Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith, saying he would see her ‘dead in the trunk of a car’ if she didn’t comply.
The servers containing the final version of Vibe magazine were stolen before its scheduled print time, but an art director had a copy on CD, allowing it to be published as planned.
Accuracy
Diddy called Smith to swear at her and tell her he knew her exact location when she refused to show him the covers.
Deception
(70%)
The article contains several examples of emotional manipulation and selective reporting. The author describes Diddy's alleged threats to her life in a dramatic and emotionally charged manner, which could potentially manipulate the reader's emotions. Additionally, the author only reports details that support her position, such as Diddy's alleged threats and his past accusations of sexual assault and violence. She does not mention any potential context or mitigating factors that may exist.
It wasn’t just Combs who made things difficult for Smith. There’s no safe space for an ambitious woman. Not anywhere, and definitely not in the entertainment business. Men keep it dangerous so they can keep it theirs.
Former Vibe editor-in-chief Danyel Smith accused Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs of threatening her life over a 1997 cover dispute in a new first-person essay for the New York Times.
He allegedly called to tell her he would see her ‘dead in the trunk of a car’ if she didn’t comply.
Fallacies
(85%)
The author makes an appeal to authority by referencing the New York Times and TheWrap as reputable sources for her story. She also uses inflammatory rhetoric when describing Diddy's alleged threats as 'dangerous' and 'pulsing with resentment'. No formal fallacies were found, but these informal fallacies bring the score down.
The author references the New York Times and TheWrap as reputable sources for her story.
The author describes Diddy's alleged threats as 'dangerous'
The author describes a media executive's look as 'pulsing with resentment'
Bias
(95%)
The author, Sharon Knolle, makes no overtly biased statements in the article. However, there are several instances where she describes Diddy's behavior towards women in a negative light and implies that he is dangerous. This could be seen as implicit bias against Diddy based on his gender and past allegations of mistreatment of women.
][He] made it clear he was going to walk me to my hotel room. It was obvious that he wanted sex.[/
It wasn’t just Combs who made things difficult for Smith.
There’s no safe space for an ambitious woman. Not anywhere, and definitely not in the entertainment business. Men keep it dangerous so they can keep it theirs.
