S. Samuel
Bad Boy Records CEO Diddy is the latest high-profile entertainer to fall victim to a series of local Hollywood pranks involving cops being called to criminal activity in the area only to find out its a hoax.
According to reports, the latest “swatting” prank took place Wednesday (April 3) afternoon.
More than A DOZEN cop cars and TWO police helicopters raced to Diddy’s L.A. home moments ago … but law enforcement sources tell TMZ the incident is yet another “swatting” prank. Law enforcement sources tell us … a swatter made a call that someone was shot inside the home. Sources at the scene tell us … cops are already dispersing … and officials now know it was another celebrity swatting prank. We were initially told the target was Steve Carell … there were multiple cop cars in his driveway. We’re told cops secured his house because it’s right next to Diddy’s. (TMZ)
Other high-profile celebrities have also fallen victim to the prank in recent months, including Hollywood mogul Tom Cruise.
It’s the latest so-called “swatting” prank targeting celebrities. The practice is intended to get multiple officers, including specialized SWAT teams sent to a home. Last week, Beverly Hills police responded to a fake armed robbery call at Tom Cruise’s house. Other hoax calls have been made involving the homes of Justin Bieber, Ashton Kutcher and Miley Cyrus. (ABC News)
Whether or not Puffy found the incident funny, the Bad Boy likely laughed all the way to the bank last week when he topped Forbes’ “Hip-Hop’s Wealthiest Artists” list.
Sean “Diddy” Combs rose to mainstream fame in the late 1990s rapping about his desire for Benjamins, otherwise known as $100 bills. A decade and a half later, he might need to consider some larger denominations–McKinleys, Clevelands and Madisons, perhaps–to express his wealth. Diddy ranks No. 1 on this year’s Forbes Five, our list of hip-hop’s wealthiest artists, with an estimated net worth of $580 million. The bulk of the Bad Boy Records founder’s wealth comes from non-musical ventures, namely his deal with Diageo’s Ciroc. The agreement entitles him to eight-figure annual payouts and a nine-figure windfall if the brand is ever sold–and Ciroc’s value has never been higher. (Forbes)
The music executive has kept busy as of late, recently getting involved with water beverage company AQUAhydrate.
Entertainment powerhouse Sean “Diddy” Combs and actor/producer Mark Wahlberg today announced a joint venture with Southern California-based fitness and wellness water brand, AQUAhydrate. Per the arrangement, Combs and Wahlberg will oversee business strategy along with CEO John Cochran, formerly President of Fiji Water. Together they will help drive the AQUAhydrate vision and be instrumental in helping secure retail partnerships for the water brand, such as their recently signed deals with Safeway, Kroger and GNC. (Real Talk NY)
