An inflammatory article published by the LA Times has brought about quick response from entertainment mogul Sean (P. Diddy, Puff Daddy) Combs. The article suggested that Combs, along with Notorious B.I.G., Jimmy Rosemond and a promoter, knew that rap superstar Tupac Shakur was to be gunned down before the event happened on November 30, 1994.

Seriously, I like tasty entertainment gossip as much as anybody, but isn’t this old news? What was the LA Times thinking, anyway? At any rate, the story was published and now Combs is pissed. In a statement released today, Combs addressed the allegations: “This story is a lie. It is beyond ridiculous and is completely false. Neither Biggie nor I had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened. It is a complete lie to suggest that there was any involvement by Biggie or myself. I am shocked that the Los Angeles Times would be so irresponsible as to publish such a baseless and completely untrue story.” Well. 

The article states that Combs, Rosemond, Biggie, and promoter James Sabatino were aware that a setup of Shakur was planned. The story states that three people, in collaboration with Rosemond, were instructed to beat Shakur but not to shoot him. The facts of the story come from a 2002 FBI report and several unnamed informers. The events described in the article led up to and culminated in the East/West rap rivalry which resulted in the deaths of both Tupac Shakur and Biggie, events which transpired more than ten years ago.

Truth in journalism is important, and mysteries are meant to be solved. However, I see little good in dredging up the deaths that rocked the rap nation to its very core. When Paris Hilton and Britney Spears aren’t showing out for the press, we get stuck with all manner of entertainment stories re-packaged to seem fresh again.