Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Diddy Didn't Shoot Tupac...or Diddy?
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 18, 2008
Modified Jan 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jen Carlson
Published Mar 18, 2008
Modified Jan 24, 2017
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Though the mystery has never been solved, many have attached Sean "Diddy" Combs and Christopher Wallace (Biggie Smalls/The Notorious B.I.G.) to the 1994 attack and 1996 killing of Tupac Shakur -- sparking an East Coast/West Coast rap war, leading to Biggie's 1997 murder and escalating the "no snitching" policy into law. The accusation even came from Tupac himself after the attack in 1994.
Enter LA Times writer Chuck Phillips, who has been on the beat for quite some time, and continues to be a thorn in the sides of Combs & Co. His latest look at the now 14 year old attack (and 12 year old unsolved murder) contains new information which, in part, backs up "Shakur's insistence that associates of rap impresario Sean 'Diddy' Combs were behind the [1994] assault. Their alleged motives: to punish Shakur for disrespecting them and rejecting their business overtures and, not incidentally, to curry favor with Combs."
The associates are two New York hip-hop figures: James "Jimmy Henchman" Rosemond and James Sabatino. The latter is in jail for an unrelated crime, and the former is the CEO of Czar Entertainment; he has never been questioned in the murder case even though an FBI informant pegged him as being involved. Rosemond says he'll be talking to his lawyer about the libelous LA Times article.
As for Diddy, he's speaking out against the allegations as well, saying that neither he nor Biggie "had any knowledge of any attack before, during or after it happened," and is "shocked the story was published." He alleges the story, which is based off of FBI records and informant statements, "is a lie. It is beyond ridiculous and completely false."
The movie currently titled Notorious (due out in January 2009) will likely have a slant favoring Combs and Biggie. Casting has just been completed and Brooklyn rapper Gravy will play B.I.G. Surprisingly Combs will not play himself -- Derek Luke will take on that role, while Anthony Mackie will play Tupac Shakur. Filming has already begun in New York.
Tagged
Chuck Phillips
diddy
fbi
la times
murder
no snitching
Notorious B.I.G.
P. Diddy
Puff Daddy
Sean Combs
tupac shakur
Jen Carlson
Jen Carlson is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
November has 3 meteor showers and the best chance to see Uranus
"Even in the city, some of these meteors will be bright enough that you'll be able to see them."
By
Rosemary Misdary
Published Nov 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. ET
A 'beautiful' day for a marathon, as runners, spectators pack NYC streets
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park. Andreas Almgren of Sweden and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya finished first.
By
Walter Wuthmann
News
A 'beautiful' day for a marathon, as runners, spectators pack NYC streets
The race starts on Staten Island, and snakes through Brooklyn, Queens and the Bronx before ending in Central Park. Andreas Almgren of Sweden and Sheila Chepkirui of Kenya finished first.
By
Walter Wuthmann
Calif. judge cites 'mountain of evidence' ICE racially profiled Latinos, drawing NY notice
By
Herb Pinder
Mamdani says Trump will 'immediately' grant visa to Ghanaian mom of slain Bronx teen
By
Christian Santana
and
Giulia Heyward
Overflowing school in downtown Jersey City is hitting a crisis point, parents say
By
Michael Sol Warren
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .