Los Angeles, CA — Nearly three decades after the unsolved murder of rap icon Tupac Shakur, shocking new allegations have emerged — this time pointing the finger at one of the biggest names in hip-hop: Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.

Federal court documents unsealed in June 2025, along with a string of investigative reports and insider testimony, have re-ignited the theory that Combs may have played a financial or strategic role in orchestrating Tupac’s 1996 killing in Las Vegas. Though no charges have yet been filed against Combs, the implications are seismic — legally, culturally, and historically.

The New Allegations: Where They Come From

The latest firestorm was triggered by a plea deal signed in May 2025 by Duane “Keefe D” Davis, the former Compton gang leader arrested in 2023 and charged with murder in connection to Tupac’s death. As part of the agreement, Davis reportedly named P. Diddy as the financier behind the hit, alleging the Bad Boy mogul offered $1 million to kill both Tupac and Death Row CEO Suge Knight.

This is not the first time Davis has made such claims. In his 2019 memoir Compton Street Legend, he suggested Diddy had expressed interest in “handling” the East Coast–West Coast feud. However, prosecutors now claim Davis provided “corroborated and specific details” in his plea that led to further federal investigation.

FBI Files and a Possible Federal Conspiracy Probe

According to two sources familiar with the ongoing investigation, sealed FBI files from the late 1990s were reopened in late 2024 after the arrest of Davis. These files allegedly include surveillance logs, informant reports, and communications indicating that the East Coast–West Coast feud may have been monitored by federal agencies as part of broader gang and RICO investigations.

One unsealed document references “Mr. Combs” in connection with financial transactions involving known gang affiliates, though the details remain redacted.

A former FBI special agent who worked on gang investigations in the 1990s told [Your Outlet] anonymously:

“There were always whispers, always rumors. But without someone from the inside flipping, it was impossible to move forward.”

Now, with Davis cooperating, prosecutors may be preparing a broader conspiracy case — potentially targeting individuals beyond Davis himself.

P. Diddy Responds

Sean Combs has vehemently denied all allegations. In a June 2025 interview with CBS Mornings, he called the claims “baseless, dangerous lies,” and said he was being targeted because of “money and hate.” His legal team issued a statement calling Davis “a self-admitted criminal desperate for leniency.”

“Mr. Combs has never been involved in any criminal conspiracy to harm Tupac Shakur,” the statement reads. “Any claims to the contrary are false and defamatory.”

So far, no direct evidence has been made public linking Combs to a murder-for-hire plot, and legal experts caution that cooperating witnesses like Davis often have credibility issues, especially when seeking reduced sentences.

What About Suge Knight?

Suge Knight, currently serving a 28-year prison sentence for voluntary manslaughter, has made cryptic statements in the past about knowing “who did it” but refusing to talk. In a jailhouse phone call released by TMZ in July 2025, Knight said:

“The truth is coming out. Been a long time coming.”

Knight’s former ties to the Mob Piru Bloods — and his own history with gang violence — make him both a potential witness and a suspect. It remains unclear whether he will testify or cooperate.

Cultural Shockwaves and Historical Reckoning

The idea that two of the most influential hip-hop moguls of the 1990s — Tupac Shakur and Sean Combs — could be linked through a murder-for-hire plot has sent cultural shockwaves across the music industry.

“This could rewrite how we understand hip-hop history,” said Dr. Jamal Green, a professor of African American Studies at NYU. “If true, it’s not just about a murder — it’s about betrayal, industry power, and a war that never really ended.”

Numerous artists have taken to social media expressing outrage, disbelief, or support. Some, like 50 Cent and The Game, have hinted for years that “industry people” knew more than they admitted.

What Happens Next?

Legal analysts say that unless new physical evidence emerges, any charges against P. Diddy would rely heavily on witness testimony, historical documents, and circumstantial links. Still, the fact that the Department of Justice has not ruled out federal charges means the case is very much alive.

If a grand jury is convened — as some insiders suggest may happen before the end of 2025 — the hip-hop world could face its most explosive reckoning yet.

Editor’s Note: As of this writing, Sean Combs has not been formally charged in relation to Tupac Shakur’s murder. All individuals mentioned are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based on court filings, law enforcement sources, and public statements. Updates will be provided as new information becomes available.