Rapper Cam’ron left CNN anchor Abby Phillip stunned during a disastrous interview discussing the video of Sean “Diddy” Combs assaulting Cassie Ventura.
In an interview that’s since gone viral, Cam’ron, whose real name is Cameron Giles, was asked if he recognized that side of Combs that’s shown in the disturbing clip.
“Everything in the video is egregious, I’m against,” the rapper, 48, said on NewsNight, clarifying that he doesn’t consider Combs a friend. “So when I saw the video I was kinda upset being that I know him.”
However, the interview appeared to take a turn for the worse when Phillip reiterated the question.
“I don’t know him like that. What do you mean did I recognize him? I seen him,” he said. “What do you mean my experiences? I seen him and I thought it was disgusting, I didn’t do a zoom in to see if it was really him or nothing, but he admitted it was him so yeah, it was him.”
In the footage released by the outlet, Combs was seen throwing Ventura — his then-girlfriend — to the ground in a hotel before kicking her, dragging her down a hallway, and then throwing things at her.
Phillip then asked Cam’ron on his thoughts about Combs’ apology video, released Sunday, in which he said he took “full responsibility” for his actions before waxing about how he was at “rock bottom” when the video was filmed.
Combs said he’d been going to therapy since then to become a better person, and that he was “disgusted” with himself at the time of the beating, and still is today.
“The apology ain’t for me, it’s for Cassie,” Cam’ron said in response. “He ain’t do nothing for me. What I think about it don’t matter. You need to ask Cassie if she accepts the apology. I said what I said.”
Visibly mortified, the CNN anchor then played a clip of Cam’ron speaking to fellow rapper Mase on his podcast.
In the video, Cam’ron asks Mase why he took him to The Notorious B.I.G. instead of Diddy’s Bad Boy Records after securing a record deal.
“Being that I saw you as a good friend, I wanted you with somebody I knew,” Mase says in the clip. “Instantly I knew Biggie would do right by you.”
When asked about Combs’ behavior in the music industry, Cam’ron becomes visibly frustrated by the question.
The rapper took a sip of PinkHorsePower — a supplement he owns that helps improve libido — before saying, “Sorry, I’m gonna’ go get some cheeks after this horse power drink.”
“I don’t really know Puff like Mase knows Puff,” he said, referring to Combs by his nickname.
“I appreciate what Mase said and of course, that’s my brother so if he felt that way, he felt that way. I can’t really tell you how Puff moves, Mase would know better than me.”
Cam’ron then promoted his podcast, before a visibly mortified Phillip asked him a question about the music industry and if Combs is protected by people in high places.
“Who’s the talent agent for this joint? You think I be sitting around watching what Diddy do? I didn’t know this was a Diddy joint that y’all invited me to. Who booked me for this joint?” he snapped.
Later on, the rapper wrote on Instagram, “F–k they invite me on CNN for?”
Combs has been hit by five other lawsuits since Ventura’s alleging rape, sexual misconduct, and other alarming accusations.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1.800.799.SAFE (7233) or text START to 88788.
