Mark Ronson was “deeply unnerved” by Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs prior to allegations

Posted On September 16, 2025September 16, 2025

Mark Ronson has revealed he was “deeply unnerved” by the presence of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, decades before the allegations of sexual misconduct against him came to light.

The DJ has made his feelings towards the former hip-hop mogul clear in his new memoir, Night People: How to be a DJ in ‘90s New York City, which is published on September 16th. In one particular extract, he recalls meeting Combs on various occasions, and the uneasy feeling this left him with.

Referring to Combs by his former stage name Puff Daddy, Ronson said (per US Weekly): “For all the gigs I played for Puff, he probably spoke five sentences to me. But even to me, the DJ, he emitted a chaotic energy that left me both starstruck and deeply unnerved.”

Ronson added that it was “abundantly clear” that Combs “wielded a tremendous amount of power and cachet” on the New York club circuit, before noting, “He made people’s careers — playing gigs for him certainly helped mine — and his disapproval meant a certain kind of exile.”

To this end, the DJ said “nobody thought of Puffy as a rapper,” only as “a force who could will anything into existence, no matter the cost.” However, Ronson then made clear that at the time, “the only controversy surrounding Puff was around the music,” and not related to the “horrific allegations of what was also going on beneath the surface.”

It was some three decades later when Combs was brought to trial in New York in May this year, accused of five counts of racketeering conspiracy, sex trafficking and transportation to engage in prostitution, which he pleaded not guilty to.

Following an extensive eight-week trial, it was ruled that Combs was guilty of the two prostitution charges but not guilty of the other three, more serious counts. He has since remained in prison in the aftermath of the verdict, as he awaits sentencing on October 3rd. He could face a maximum of 20 years behind bars.

For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.

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