Joe Jonas recently performed on stage in Lyon, France, and changed the lyrics of his band DNCE’s hit song “Cake by the Ocean” to distance himself from Sean “Diddy” Combs’ sex crimes scandal. In the original lyric, Jonas refers to Combs, but during his recent performance, he appeared to mouth a different word instead of “Diddy.” Fans speculated on social media about what the new word could be, with some suggesting it was “Martin” or “watching you be my only.” Despite the change in lyrics, Jonas has not publicly addressed the decision, and his reps declined to comment on the matter.
This is not the first time a performer has made changes to their songs to disassociate from Combs. Kesha altered the opening lyric of her song “Tik Tok” at a California concert in 2023 after Cassie Ventura settled her lawsuit against Combs, changing the line from “Wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy” to “Wake up in the morning feeling just like me.” At Coachella, Kesha further expressed disdain for Combs by changing the lyric to “Wake up in the morning like f–k P. Diddy” while holding up her middle finger. Kesha herself is a survivor of sexual assault, having accused Dr. Luke of raping her in 2014, leading to a legal battle that was settled in 2023.
While Kesha’s issues with Dr. Luke have been resolved, Combs is currently facing serious legal challenges. Last month, he was arrested and charged with sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting a prostitute. Combs has denied the allegations of hosting illegal parties and engaging in criminal activities. If convicted, he could face a minimum of 15 years to a maximum life sentence in prison. The rapper is currently being held at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn without bail, with investigations ongoing and a court date yet to be set.
Amidst the growing accusations against Combs, a Texas-based attorney revealed that 120 more people have come forward to accuse him of sex crimes, including a person who was allegedly abused as a 9-year-old. The scandal has sparked concern and calls for support for those affected by sexual assault. If you or someone you know is impacted by similar issues, reach out to the Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-330-0226 for assistance. The severity of the accusations against Combs and the ongoing legal proceedings indicate that the scandal surrounding him is far from over, with more information likely to come to light in the future.
Joe Jonas’ decision to change the lyrics of his song to distance himself from Combs is indicative of the larger impact the scandal has had on the music industry. Artists are taking steps to disassociate themselves from individuals accused of serious crimes, highlighting the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions. The changes made by Jonas and Kesha to their songs serve as a powerful statement against sexual misconduct and send a message of solidarity with survivors. As the legal proceedings against Combs continue, the music industry and fans alike are grappling with the implications of such serious allegations and the need to address issues of abuse and misconduct within the industry.
