Janice Combs has denied a shocking claim in Netflix’s Sean Combs: The Reckoning that says Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs slapped her in 1991. She called the allegation false and demanded a public retraction. The controversy comes amid Diddy’s legal troubles and revived rivalry with 50 Cent.

Credit: X | Janice Combs and 50 Cent with Sean Diddy Combs

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ mother Janice Combs has rubbished a claim that was made in Netflix’s new four-part docuseries Sean Combs: The Reckoning. In a statement to Deadline, Diddy’s mother has revealed that the series shows all “lies” and “inaccuracies” about her son’s life as well as upbringing, and she added that the documentary’s only aim was to “mislead viewers” and “harm” the family’s reputation.

What Sean Diddy Combs’ mother Janice Combs thinks about 50 Cent’s Netflix docuseries

In the first episode of the 50 Cent-produced docuseries, which looks back at the tragic 1991 incident in City College of New York, where nine people died in a stampede during a charity basketball game promoted by Diddy, Sean’s former friend and colleague Kirk Burrowes claimed that he saw Sean slapping his mother on that day during an argument about his future. As per Burrowes, tis happened after Janice questioned his choice to enter the music business leaving school after the deadly incident. He claimed that Diddy abused her and slapped her.

Janice Combs has now called the claims false. “The allegations stated by Mr Kirk Burrows that my son slapped me are inaccurate and patently false,” she said in the statement. She added that using the tragedy to push a “fake narrative” is “wrong, outrageous and offensive.” She also demanded him to publicly withdraw the false claims.

Furthermore, a title card in the docuseries states that Sean Combs did not respond to requests for comment made by documentary team about the allegation that he harmed his mother. The Netflix docuseries comes after Diddy was convicted on two federal prostitution related charges. He is currently serving 50-month prison sentence handed down in October and also facing dozens of lawsuits accusing him of sexual assault.

Diddy vs 50 Cent: A long-running rivalry explained

2005: 50 Cent accused Diddy of blocking rapper Mase from joining his G-Unit label. Diddy reportedly demanded $2 million to release Mase from his contract.

2006: In August–September 2006, 50 Cent released the diss track called The Bomb, or Hip-Hop, and suggested he knew details about the murder of Notorious BIG.

2016: In July 2016, 50 Cent criticised Diddy’s Ciroc vodka on Drink Champs while promoting his rival brand Effen Vodka. He also mocked about the awkward shopping invitation he got from Diddy.

2018: Despite years of public insults, Diddy said in 2018 that there was never any real rivalry between him and 50 Cent.

2023–2025: After a hiatus, the rivalry once again returned in November 2023 after singer Cassie filed a lawsuit accusing Diddy of abuse. 50 Cent openly mocked Diddy online and announced the Netflix documentary. In March 2024, he again mocked Diddy after federal raids on his properties. The feud continued into 2025 with social media jabs and comments during court proceedings.