Music industry insiders claim that female artists are often compelled to prioritize survival over consent due to industry pressures.
Title: Cleaning Up the Music Industry: Addressing the Toxic Culture Revealed by Diddy's Trial
The jury selection for Sean "Diddy" Combs' sex trafficking trial wrapped up on May 7, 2025. The judge scrutinized nearly 100 potential jurors, focusing on their personal biases regarding abuse and sexual assault, as well as their perception of Combs.
Combs, a prominent musician and businessman, has been behind bars since September 2024, facing charges of sex trafficking, transporting for prostitution, and racketeering conspiracy. He maintains his innocence, pleading not guilty to all charges.
Ty Stiklorious, the CEO and founder of Friends at Work management firm, exposed the longstanding challenges women face in the music industry during an interview with Morning Edition. She recounted instances where she was led to believe she was attending a job interview, only to be taken to a restaurant and offered a hotel key, implying a job position in exchange for sexual favors.
Stiklorious believes these issues are not confined to one rapper or executive. Instead, she contends that the industry has permitted a system that has allowed certain men to operate with impunity.
"This is not about one man or one case," Stiklorious stated. "It's a story about power and how it operates within the music industry."
In October 2024, she wrote an op-ed for the New York Times, The Music Industry Is Toxic. After P. Diddy, We Can Clean It Up, describing a harrowing ordeal she encountered in her early 20s at a party Combs hosted on a yacht. In this piece, she detailed an associate of Combs locking her in a room on the yacht, trying to manipulate her. Despite these obstacles, Stiklorious managed to escape with the help of her quick thinking.
Since publishing her article, numerous women within the music industry have contacted Stiklorious, sharing similar experiences of intimidation, coercion, or being forced to sign non-disclosure agreements (NDAs).
"These women are in positions of power," Stiklorious explained. "Oftentimes, their careers are threatened if they speak up. The silence wasn't consent; it was survival."
In a discussion with NPR's Michel Martin, Stiklorious discussed the exploitative tactics often employed in the music industry, profiting from women's talent, image, and sheer dedication, while fostering a culture of manipulation and sexual abuse behind the scenes.
Enrichment Data:
- Ty Stiklorious wrote an op-ed for the New York Times titled The Music Industry Is Toxic. After P. Diddy, We Can Clean It Up, where she details her experiences and offers suggestions for cleaning up the industry.
- Stiklorious has garnered attention due to her personal experiences within the music industry and her outspokenness regarding the toxic culture therein.
- Since publishing her op-ed, several women have come forward to share similar experiences with Stiklorius.
[1]: Ty Stiklorious Denounces Fuckboi Culture in Fast Company Interview
[2]: Ty Stiklorious Advocates for Workplace Accountability in HuffPost Article
[5]: Ty Stiklorious Joins Producing Team for Ain't Too Proud–The Life and Times of the Temptations
- As Ty Stiklorious continues to advocate for workplace reform in the music industry, she is now focusing her efforts on women's health and wellness, aiming to create a safer and more supportive environment for all.
- Furthermore, in her pursuit to clean up the industry, Stiklorious has expanded her advocacy to other sectors, including science and entertainment, hoping to expose and rectify similar issues involving celebrities and power dynamics.
