Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs appeared visibly tense as his long-awaited criminal trial began Monday in a Manhattan federal courtroom.

The 55-year-old rapper, dressed in a dark suit, sat quietly as jury selection began.

Combs was charged with racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking by force, obstruction of justice, and other serious crimes alleged to have occurred between 2004 and 2024. He pleaded not guilty.

The charges come from numerous lawsuits and police investigations that claim he used his music label, Bad Boy Records, to hurt and control people.

Despite his silence in court, Combs reportedly admitted to close associates that he’s “nervous” about the outcome, as prosecutors claim to have damning evidence, including surveillance footage, testimonies from former partners, and hundreds of seized items among them, a stockpile of sex-related materials discovered during federal raids.

A big part of the case is a 2016 hotel surveillance video that allegedly shows Combs physically assaulting his former partner and singer, Cassie Ventura, in a hallway.

Ventura, who filed a civil suit in 2023 that was settled within 24 hours, is expected to testify under oath during the criminal trial. Her accusations, along with those of at least four other women, paint a troubling picture of alleged drug-fuelled “freak-offs,” coercion, and retaliation.

However, Combs insists all sexual encounters were consensual and part of what his defence describes as an “alternative lifestyle.”

His legal team is preparing to argue that the allegations stem from personal vendettas and opportunism, pointing to financial motives behind the lawsuits.

Still, legal analysts believe the defence faces a severe battle.

“This isn’t just about sex,” one legal expert noted. “It’s about power, control, and the systematic abuse of that power. The videos and witness testimonies could be devastating.”

The jury selection process has proven intense, with over 600 potential jurors screened through a detailed questionnaire. They were asked about their views on sexual assault, domestic violence, and knowledge of nearly 200 celebrities, including Kanye West and Kid Cudi, the latter allegedly targeted in a failed car bombing tied to Combs.

Combs remains in custody after being denied bail multiple times. Prosecutors argue he poses a threat to witnesses and has a history of influencing others to obstruct justice, including, allegedly, while behind bars.

Opening statements are scheduled for May 12, with the trial expected to span eight weeks. If convicted, Combs faces the possibility of life imprisonment.