The legendary Harlem-born emcee, lyricist and hip-hop entrepreneur Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, A.k.a. Puff Daddy, A.k.a. ‘Billionaire’ Diddy is reportedly vying for a major stake in the BET or “Black Entertainment Television” Network. Diddy, who already owns Hip-Hop’s leading media platform Revolt, has further bolstered the reports through a slew of tweets earlier today.
Through the acquistion, Diddy is pushing for a fully “black-owned” media which portrays the African American narrative and tells their “stories”. Notably, the legendary emcee was bestowed with BET’s Lifetime Achievement Award last year. The influential emcee is also the founder of ‘Bad Boy Records’ which nurtured legendary Hip-Hop artists including The Notorious B.I.G., Lil’ Kim and Junior Mafia, Mary J. Blige and Usher.
“Media is the most powerful industry in the world but it’s the industry where we have the least amount of ownership, influence and control,” Diddy tweeted. “It’s time for @BET to be black-owned again so we have the power to tell our own stories, control our own narrative! This is not about me it’s about WE!!!!” the rapper further said.
As per Deadline magazine, BET was acquired by Viacom in 2001 in a deal worth $3 billion. Earlier this week, The Wallstreet Journal first reported that Paramount Global is interested in selling-off BET.
“The decision to consider selling a majority stake of the assets, which cater primarily to Black audiences, is part of the entertainment giant’s effort to shore up resources to bolster its flagship Paramount+ streaming service and its advertiser-supported free streaming platform Pluto TV, some of the people said.” the newspaper wrote.
Besides Diddy, media moguls Tyler Perry and Byron Allen are eyeing a stake in BET too. However, for Comb, acquiring BET will certainly be a massive elevation and garner him an unprecedented influence over ‘Black’ entertainment. The legendary emcee launched Revolt TV in 2013. Rooted it black culture and entertainment, majorly Hip-Hop, Revolt TV reaches roughly 80 million households in America alone.
More on the story as it unfolds.
Since you’re here, check out Snoop Dogg’s legendary conversation on “Drink Champs” by Revolt TV here if you haven’t yet.
