Sean “Diddy” Combs, the renowned hip hop mogul, has been denied a two-month trial delay by US district judge Arun Subramanian. The 55-year-old rapper, facing charges of racketeering and sex trafficking, pleaded not guilty to five criminal counts. Prosecutors allege that Combs used his business empire to sexually exploit women over two decades, while his defense argues that the activities were consensual. Combs’s lawyer requested the trial delay to prepare for new charges brought in April and to review crucial emails from an alleged victim. However, federal prosecutors opposed the delay, asserting that the new charges did not signify substantially new behavior and that Combs was not entitled to the victim’s communications. The case also involves considerations on allowing alleged victims to testify anonymously. Combs, known as Puff Daddy and P Diddy, has a storied career in the music industry, founding Bad Boy Records and launching the careers of numerous artists. Despite his success, prosecutors claim a darker side to Combs, alleging involvement in disturbing activities such as “freak-offs” with male sex workers. Currently incarcerated in Brooklyn since September without bail, Combs faces multiple civil lawsuits for sexual abuse, all of which he vehemently denies. The trial is set to commence next month, with jury selection scheduled for early May and opening statements to follow shortly after.