Peloton has made the decision to pause the use of music recorded by Sean “Diddy” Combs on its workout class platform after a member of a private Facebook group for Peloton users raised concerns. The company has also removed the Bad Boy Entertainment Artist Series, a line of classes and workouts featuring music from a record label founded by Combs. They clarified that this decision only applies to new classes and did not indicate any plans to remove music from past classes.
This action comes after a comment was posted on Monday and CNN shared hotel surveillance video from 2016 showing Combs engaging in physical violence against his then-girlfriend, Cassie Ventura. In response to the video, Combs issued a statement on Instagram taking full responsibility for his actions and expressing regret for his behavior. Ventura had previously filed a lawsuit against Combs last November, accusing him of rape and years of abuse. Combs had denied the allegations at that time, but since then, he has faced multiple lawsuits regarding sexual misconduct and other illegal activities.
This is not the first time Peloton has made a decision regarding music by a controversial artist. In 2022, the company announced that it had indefinitely paused playing Kanye West’s music in its streaming workout classes after West made antisemitic comments. Peloton informed concerned members that instructors were no longer using West’s music in new classes and were not recommending previously produced workouts that featured his music on their hardware or app.
The decision to pause the use of music by Diddy and Kanye West reflects Peloton’s commitment to responding to concerns raised by their members and maintaining a positive and inclusive environment for their users. The company’s actions demonstrate a willingness to address problematic behavior by public figures whose music is featured in their classes. By halting the use of music by these artists, Peloton is taking a stand against behavior that conflicts with their values and the expectations of their community.
Peloton has not provided further comment on the decision regarding Diddy’s music, but the company’s response to member feedback and media reports suggests a willingness to listen and take decisive action when necessary. Moving forward, Peloton may continue to assess the use of music by artists who have been involved in controversies or legal issues, ensuring that their platform aligns with their values and the expectations of their user base. Overall, this situation highlights the complexities of navigating partnerships with artists who may face allegations of misconduct and raises important questions about accountability and responsibility in the fitness industry.
