Rapper Kid Cudi takes the stand in Diddy’s trial

Scott Mescudi, better known as rapper Kid Cudi, testified in the federal racketeering conspiracy and sex-trafficking trial of music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs today. Mescudi told the court his home was burglarized and his car was set on fire with a Molotov cocktail around the same time Combs found out he was dating ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura. Mescudi likened Combs to a “Marvel supervillain” while testifying, detailing a string of strange and threatening incidents that followed the beginning of his relationship with Ventura. The court also heard from a former assistant to Combs, a makeup artist, and a hotel employee.

Rain poured down outside a New York City courthouse today, as the trial of disgraced rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs wrapped up its second week. The court heard from several witnesses today, the most notable being the testimony of rapper Kid Cudi, whose real name is Scott Mescudi.

Former assistant to Combs, George Kaplan, was first to speak, returning to the stand for another day of testimony under an immunity order — a detail not known to the jury. Under examination from the prosecution, Kaplan testified that he witnessed Combs being violent with ex-girlfriend Cassie Ventura in 2015 on his private jet. He told the court he heard glass break and saw Combs standing over Ventura. Kaplan said, quote, “There was a tremendous commotion and stumble, and then the glass crashed.”

Kaplan left Combs’ employ in 2015, saying he “was not comfortable or aligned with the physical behaviour that had been going on.” He said working for Combs was a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity” despite his moral compass leading him to quit, and added that he still has respect for him.

Prosecutors then called Scott Mescudi to the stand. Mescudi and Ventura met around 2008 and later began dating in 2011 after one of Combs and Ventura’s many breakups. Part of Ventura’s testimony last week included an incident that occurred after Combs found out she was dating Mescudi — during which he allegedly became enraged and threatened to blow up Mescudi’s vehicle. Today, Mescudi filled in some of the gaps. He said he received a call from Ventura in December 2011, and she told him Combs had found out about their relationship. The rapper says he picked her up and drove to a nearby hotel. It was there Mescudi says he got a phone call from one of Combs’ employees, informing him that Combs and an associate were inside his home.

Mescudi then spoke with Combs, who said he wanted to talk. When he returned home, Mescudi noticed his security cameras had been moved, gifts for his family were opened, and his dog was locked in a bathroom. The following month, Mescudi’s dog watcher called to tell him that his car was on fire — alleging the damage done to his Porsche was from a Molotov cocktail.

When Combs and Mescudi finally met in person to discuss the drama, Mescudi testified that “Combs was standing there, staring out the window with his hands behind his back, like a Marvel supervillain.”

Also on the stand today were Ventura’s former makeup artist and a hotel employee — whose testimony, former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani says, helps paint Combs in a certain light.

The next witness the court is expected to call is former Combs employee Capricorn Clark. The trial is expected to continue on Tuesday, with court dark tomorrow and Monday for the Memorial Day holiday. The judge presiding over Diddy’s trial has instructed the jury to avoid any and all conversations and media coverage about the case over the holiday.