Within the aftermath of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ partial conviction, you’d assume the collective dialog would land someplace between accountability and reflection. As a substitute, we’re getting loud, dusty opinions from males who’ve lengthy overstayed their welcome within the tradition.
Enter Funkmaster Flex.
The legendary DJ and radio host determined this was his second to leap within the ring—not with nuance, not with empathy, however with a tone-deaf, victim-blaming sermon aimed toward Cassie. Sure, the identical Cassie who all of us watched get bodily assaulted in broad daylight on surveillance video. However apparently, that wasn’t sufficient for Flex, who boldly declared the Diddy case a “stretch and witch hunt” and accused Cassie of orchestrating a cash seize relatively than surviving trauma.
Let’s unpack this nonsense.
“I believe Cassie has been by means of lots particularly at a younger age,” Flex wrote, in a put up that tried to sound like concern however learn extra like condescension.“She is such a pleasant individual and at all times gave off good vitality!… I do assume you and your legal professionals ought to give it a relaxation!”
How comforting. Think about a lady being groomed, abused, and manipulated by one of the highly effective males in music, and the response you select is, “however she gave off good vitality.”
Flex, be for actual, that’s not empathy. It’s gaslighting with a facet of herbed up superstar worship.
The mixtape legend continued his rant by doubling down on the misogyny, dragging Cassie for settling her civil swimsuit: “You threatened to drop a guide then obtained paid out to not drop the guide! (If you happen to cared a lot to get your message out, you’d’ve dropped the guide.)”
Let’s be clear, a settlement doesn’t negate hurt, it acknowledges it. Cassie’s bravery opened the floodgates for different ladies to return ahead; however in line with Flex, this was all a “deliberate lick.”
What’s worse is that Funk Flex isn’t alone on this clown automobile. Boosie—who’s at all times the primary within the feedback on LGBTQAI information—and Ray J, who’s one way or the other at all times within the room however by no means contributing something of substance, have been additionally on-line cheering for the decision like they have been on payroll.
Then there’s DJ Vlad. The tradition’s least welcome visitor, who couldn’t miss an opportunity to insert himself into Black trauma for clicks. Taking to X, Vlad wrote:
“Cassie is responsible of the identical prostitution prices Diddy was simply convicted of… I interviewed three male escorts… she picked them up, paid them… in the meantime, she’s sitting on $30M and asking the decide to disclaim Diddy bail.”
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Cassie is responsible of the identical prostitution prices Diddy was simply convicted of. I interviewed 3 of the male escorts. All 3 of them mentioned the identical factor – Cassie picked them, contacted them for freak offs, loved the experiences and paid them. <br><br>In the meantime, she’s sitting on $30M…</p>— DJ Vlad (@djvlad) <a href=”https://twitter.com/djvlad/standing/1940490401028493555?ref_src=twsrcpercent5Etfw”>July 2, 2025</a></blockquote> https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Sir, respectfully—and I take advantage of that phrase loosely—why are you at all times the loudest voice on Black suffering when you’ve achieved nothing however exploit it? The one “freak off” occurring right here is the one the place y’all determined to flip the narrative and make the sufferer the villain whereas seemingly positioning your self on all fours to present the nod you’re up subsequent.
This whole saga speaks to one thing far deeper—and much more harmful: the tradition’s ongoing refusal to guard ladies, particularly once they communicate out in opposition to highly effective males. These males love the tradition when it lets them peddle mixtapes, pander for podcast views, or relive their former glory; however when it comes time to carry abusers accountable? Crickets—or worse, a mic drop drenched in ignorance.
Let’s be sincere, those we see screaming the loudest in protection of Diddy are those who’ve contributed the least to the tradition lately—and but achieved essentially the most hurt. Funkmaster Flex hasn’t moved the needle culturally because the ringtone period, and Vlad has made a profession of monetizing Black ache with no funding in therapeutic or rebuilding.
This isn’t nearly Diddy. It’s in regards to the message being despatched that when highly effective males commit hurt, different males will rush accountable the ladies who survive it. It’s a tradition of complicity, the place silence is changed by smirking commentary and “OGs” hand out unhealthy recommendation.
We have to begin asking: what’s the actual value of letting these voices dominate the dialog?
If Funk Flex and firm are the usual bearers of our cultural compass, then it’s time to recalibrate. Cassie—and each survivor—deserves higher than males who assume clout outranks character.
And as for Funk Flex? Please. You would possibly’ve had the bombs as soon as upon a time, however today, all we hear is static.
