CNN
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The chorus to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ song “Do You Like It… Do You Want It,” which also features Jay-Z, asks what has become an eerily prophetic question: “Do you want to know what it’s like to be me?” “

At the time, perhaps no one knew what it was like to be Combs better than Jay-Z, who was born Shawn Carter. Rappers, producers and businessmen alike topped the charts and commanded respect in the recording booth and boardroom alike.

But there seemed to be no rivalry.

In 2009, Combs was asked by a reporter if he remembered a photo that showed him talking to Carter. Combs said the moment was captured at his birthday party. Jay-Z flew in to be there even though he had limited time, Combs recalled.

“People see us as competitors and different icons in the hip-hop game, but this was just a moment of two black brothers telling each other how much they appreciated each other,” Combs said.

Years later, as Combs sits in federal custody awaiting trial on sex trafficking and racketeering conspiracy charges, Carter is reluctant to be associated with him, even though a lawsuit does just that.

A woman who filed a civil lawsuit in October alleging she was sexually abused by Combs in 2000 amended her complaint Sunday to allege she was also abused by Carter. The plaintiff, identified as Jane Doe, was 13 years old at the time of the alleged assault at an MTV Video Music Awards afterparty.

In a statement to CNN, Carter called the allegations “so heinous that I am begging you to file a criminal complaint, not a civil lawsuit!!”

“Whoever would commit such a crime against a minor should be put away, don’t you agree?” he said.

On Monday, Carter filed a motion with the court to dismiss her lawsuitS or require Doe to reveal her identity.

Combs pleaded not guilty and denied any wrongdoing in about 30 civil lawsuits filed against him. Several of these lawsuits involve allegations from accusers who have chosen to litigate under pseudonyms.

In recent months, two federal judges rejected attempts by two of Combs’ accusers to anonymously file sexual assault lawsuits against him, in rulings that highlighted the challenge of using pseudonyms.

With this week’s legal developments, the parallel career paths of Combs and Carter are gaining renewed attention.

Combs and Carter have moved in the same circles in the past, having built their respective business empires on the back of hip-hop success before expanding into other ventures.

Both founded record labels – Combs with Bad Boy Records and Carter with Roc Nation – and helped numerous artists launch their careers. They also shared similar backstories, growing up in New York with single mothers.

In 1997, following the murder of their mutual friend and Combs protege Christopher “Notorious BIG” Wallace, or Biggie Smalls, Combs and Carter collaborated on Carter’s “My Lifetime, Vol 1.” Album and Combs’ single “Do You Like It…Do You Want It.”

Carter shared in 2010 that he spoke to Wallace, who was best friends with Combs, an hour before the rapper was shot.

“He wasn’t a troublemaker at all. “He was just a fun, charismatic guy,” Carter said at the time. “That he died so senselessly – I talked to him that night and he was so happy to be in Los Angeles after the whole East Coast-West Coast thing.”

Two years ago, during a celebration of Wallace’s 50th birthday, Carter mentioned the “void” left in hip-hop by the murders of Wallace and another legendary rapper, Tupac Shakur.

“Bro, you filled her shoes,” Combs said of Carter. “You came in and we definitely thank you. You definitely came and I just know how much Big looked up to Jay.”

Combs and Carter joined forces in 2005 to co-present a check for $1 million during a televised fundraiser for Hurricane Katrina relief.

In 2020, their long-standing friendship was evident when Carter stood next to Combs at Roc Nation’s Black Billionaire luncheon.

“We are here together and we will continue to stay together — and closer,” Combs said as Carter agreed. “Together we stand together and there is nothing else.”

Carter paid tribute to Combs during a video presentation shown as part of the Lifetime Achievement Recognition ceremony at the 2022 BET Awards.

“Here’s this guy from a neighborhood similar to where I grew up who made it to these unattainable heights,” Carter said. “Puff (Combs’ childhood nickname) was the first one to come through and make us feel like it was us.”