Within the aftermath of Sean “Diddy” Combs’ partial conviction, you’d suppose the collective dialog would land someplace between accountability and reflection. As an alternative, 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 geared 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 quite than surviving trauma.
Let’s unpack this nonsense.
“I believe Cassie has been by way of lots particularly at a younger age,” Flex wrote, in a submit that tried to sound like concern however learn extra like condescension.“She is such a pleasant particular person and at all times gave off good vitality!… I do suppose you and your attorneys ought to give it a relaxation!”
How comforting. Think about a girl being groomed, abused, and manipulated by some 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 aspect of herbed up celeb 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 ebook then acquired paid out to not drop the ebook! (If you happen to cared a lot to get your message out, you’d’ve dropped the ebook.)”
Let’s be clear, a settlement doesn’t negate hurt, it acknowledges it. Cassie’s bravery opened the floodgates for different ladies to come back ahead; however in response to Flex, this was all a “deliberate lick.”
What’s worse is that Funk Flex isn’t alone on this clown automotive. Boosie—who’s at all times the primary within the feedback on LGBTQAI information—and Ray J, who’s someway at all times within the room however by no means contributing something of substance, had been additionally on-line cheering for the decision like they had 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 fees 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 choose to disclaim Diddy bail.”
<blockquote class=”twitter-tweet”><p lang=”en” dir=”ltr”>Cassie is responsible of the identical prostitution fees 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” taking place 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 provide the nod you’re up subsequent.
This complete saga speaks to one thing far deeper—and much more harmful: the tradition’s ongoing refusal to guard ladies, particularly once they converse 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 in recent times—and but achieved probably 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 concerning the message being despatched that when highly effective males commit hurt, different males will rush responsible 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 true 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 suppose clout outranks character.
And as for Funk Flex? Please. You would possibly’ve had the bombs as soon as upon a time, however as of late, all we hear is static.