Sean Diddy Combs: 9 Lives Lost at Puff Daddy Charity Concert

0:00 Under a sky full of pulsing lights, a crowd of bodies sways hypnotically to the rhythm of live music. Their cheers fill the vast expanse of festivals like Coachella, South by Southwest and Austin Afropunk. The air buzzes with excitement and anticipation, charged with love for artists who are more than just performers. To their fans, they're icons, heroes, and sometimes even saviors. But among the euphoria and camaraderie, a sinister shadow lurks. The haunting echoes of the 2021 Astro World tragedy and the ghostly remnants of disasters that have scarred legends like The Who, Guns N' Roses and ACDC linger.

0:44 Yet among these tragedies, one event stands out, the 1991 charity concert in Harlem, New York. It started with promise and joy, but ended in an unforgettable nightmare for 9 innocent souls. Welcome back to No Tears for Black Girls. I'm your host Samantha Paul. Today we're revisiting a dark chapter in music history, the 1991 charity concert in Harlem, New York. What started as a star-studded event featuring Sean Puffy, Combs, and Heavy D turned into a nightmare, claiming the lives of nine innocent attendees. In this episode, we'll unravel the tragic events at New York City College, where mismanaged tickets and a dangerous bottleneck led to a horrifying crush. Join us as we remember the lives lost, the chaos that ensued, and the lasting impact on the community. A cramped staircase at New York City College became a dangerous bottleneck, trapping teenagers and young adults in a crushing heap.

1:53 Nine people lost their lives in this tragedy, leaving the city in mourning. This prestigious institution, located at 160 Convent Ave. in Harlem, has a long history, having been founded in 1847. Many students from across the country flocked to this college with dreams of success. The surrounding area, known as Greater Harlem, is steeped in rich history, from the lively events of the 1960s to the bustling streets filled with basketball games, block parties, St. festivals, and charity concerts during warmer months. But on December 28th, 1991, something disturbing happened at New York City College. As the Christmas holiday ended and New Year's Eve approached, people prepared for celebrations across the city. Instead of terror, attendees at Sean Puffy Combs and Heavy DS celebrity basketball game endured a nightmarish experience.

2:50 Despite tickets selling for $20 each to ensure entry into the star-studded event, chaos erupted when tensions rose between the Hefsters and Puff Daddy All Stars teams. Familiar names like LL Cool J and Mike Tyson were present along with Doug E Fresh and Red Alert. This fundraiser for AIDS turned into a tragic night that will never be forgotten by those who witnessed it. Among the star-studded lineup on heavy DS team were Michael Bivens from Belle Biv, Devoe and New Edition members of Boys to Men, Run DMC, Fife Dog and Big Daddy Kane. They would face off against Puffy's team which included artists from Jodeci Brand, Nubian Guy, Nice and Smooth, and Ed Lover. Providing the beats for the event was none other than Funkmaster Flex of Hot 97.

3:45 The Apollo box office on 125th St. in Harlem refused them entry, stating that there were no tickets available. One reason cited for this rejection was that the Apollo could not fulfill all ticket requests they received. Another reason given was that 98.7 Kiss FM wanted its name featured on the flyer. This competition with WBLS FM, owned by Inner City Broadcasting who also owned the Apollo Theater, caused further complications for ticket sales through the venue. The Apollo Theater, listed as a point of purchase on the flyer, had been promoting the event with KISS FM since December 20th.

4:25 Despite their radio ads mentioning the Apollo as a ticket location, phone calls flooded in and customers were turned away. Flyers directing people to Boss Emporium, a Harlem clothing store, were put up at the Apollo. The owner of Boss Emporium reported that tickets were selling fast thanks to heavy DS popularity with Uptown Records. Kiss FM community staff member noticed the huge crowd gathering outside the college and realized there was no way everyone could fit inside. An hour later, Kiss FM told listeners without tickets to stay home, but by then it was too late to spread the message effectively. Despite attempts to control the growing crowd, witnesses reported that hundreds continued to gather in two separate lines outside the gym by 5:00 PM, though this timeline has been disputed.

5:19 As time passed, more celebrities arrived through the same entrance designated for ticket holders causing tension as non ticket holders were allowed in to purchase tickets online. While actual ticket holders became upset trying to make their way inside amidst the mass of people on the staircase leading into the gym. Eagerly pressing against the gym doors, wanting to enter via pulling them open instead of pushing due to limited space from the growing crowd inside as well as outside where some waited for loved ones also being let in. Around 6:30 PM that evening, tragic events unfolded when Greg Nice of Nice and Smooth approached the glass doors leading into the building along with others noted in later reports.

6:08 As the entourage entered, a massive crowd surged in behind them. Amidst the chaos, people shouted 123 push and shattered the safety glass on the doors. With hundreds pushing. Those entering pulled away at dangling shards to make room for more people. Panic and cries to stop fell on deaf ears as the huge crowd crushed anyone against the 12 foot wide stairwell doors. Reports differ on whether people tried to move backward or step on others to escape. Yet it was chaos as people fought to get out while others gasped for air under the weight of hundreds of bodies. Eventually, some inside opened doors and pulled people in, but the pandemonium continued.

6:54 Injured individuals appeared in footage carried into the gym, while Doug E Fresh pleaded for someone to call for help. Reports of shots fired caused further panic and a Stampede among those seeking cover. The first ambulance arrived 15 minutes after the chaos began, but attempts to save lives started earlier. Based on footage timestamps, 19 year old Letitia Creschad Heard, a focused Bronx native determined to become a probation officer at John Jay College, ignored her brother's warnings and excitedly attended the event. A friend later identified her among the casualties, a devastating loss for her family and community. Similarly, 17 year old Leonard Nelson Junior, an only child with dreams of college and a bright future, often listened to hip hop tunes on his Walkman and played quarterback for Truman Mustang's football team.

7:51 Afterward, the city named a field in his memory. Unfortunately, 9 lives were lost that night, including theirs. A stranger broke the news of Cherise Ann Noel's death to her brother. Cherise, 26 years old, from Brooklyn, NY, came from a religious family and had recently graduated as a nurse. She lived with her grandparents and young daughter and had been separated from her boyfriend during the chaos. Fellow nurses wore their uniforms to pay tribute at her funeral. Unknown to Jabal Rainey's parents, he attended the event but never made it back home. Darren Brown, 28 years old and a friend of Nice and Smooth, worked on their Rd. crew and should have been safe at the concert.

8:38 However, he succumbed to the crushing crowd. His daughter had called him Daddy only days before. Yul Dargan, age 24, lived in his parents attic apartment decorated with posters of his icons like Whitney Houston and Michael Jordan. Yul, an avid sports fanatic, always caught games at the Meadowlands and was thrilled for this event. He was very involved in his church community at Walker Memorial Baptist in the Bronx and was known as one of its most active young members. After graduating from Cardinal Hayes High School, you'll plan to move to Atlanta to be closer to family and attend college while working for their transit system.

9:24 On the day of the event, you'll took the D train with his mother to Coney Island, where she worked as a nurse at the hospital. He gave her a bottle of White Diamonds perfume for her birthday and promised her a birthday card after the basketball game later that night. However, Yule's mother learned about his death from local news and received a call from their pastor shortly after his death. Over 600 people attended Yule's funeral, including famous figures such as Mike Tyson and Don King, who wore purple in his honor as it was his favorite color. Don McCain was a kind hearted 20 year old from Brooklyn who loved spending time with her family and taking her nephew to events. Unfortunately, he had a cold that night, so she left him at home to rest alone at home instead of attending with him. The year before tragedy struck.

10:16 Don struggled with ticketing cars parked outside churches or supermarkets during holidays while working as a city traffic agent, which made her feel guilty. Still, she eventually secured tickets through someone rumored to be dating Puffy, despite initially being denied entry. Described by those who knew her as quiet but intelligent and dedicated, Sonja Williams studied nursing before tragically passing away days later due to injuries sustained during this event. Sonja, a bright young student at Lehman College, was working towards becoming a pediatric nurse. She had fond memories of attending a New Edition concert with her mother at City College when she was younger. Despite her high hopes for the upcoming event, she was in for a shock when things took a sinister turn. Dirk Swain, a 20 year old from the Bronx, an aspiring architect, had narrowly survived a shooting just months prior. Despite being advised to avoid crowds, he decided to go out on this fateful night.

11:20 Just days before, Dirk had expressed gratitude for another chance at life after surviving the shooting. Little did he know that tragedy would strike again. His brother Jason would go on to create a documentary in memory of the 9 victims who perished in the Stampede at the 1991 City College of New York event. The events of that night haunt those who lived through it and those who lost loved ones, yet it is often overshadowed by other tragedies. As the holiday season approaches, nine families must face another year without their loved ones, and countless others have been scarred for life. The question remains, who is responsible for this horrifying incident?

12:08 Was it due to overselling tickets or the college's lack of proper precautions? There may never be a clear answer. Was it because of the big support behind A cause later found to be bogus? Was it the crowd who didn't realize the real danger that they were in? Was it greed? It would be safe to assume that nobody involved in this event wanted this outcome. It was done with good intentions according to everyone. But sometimes things unfold quickly right before your eyes, and before you know it, the situation can no longer be contained. And when it gets to that point, everyone involved in something like this, from the venue to the promoters to the officers, has to be on the same page because tragedy can strike faster than you expect. It's always important to point out that many are to blame. But what these families wanted more than anything was to have their loved ones back.

13:07 They longed to discuss that fateful evening and imagine how it should have unfolded, free from devastation, surrounded by safety and happiness. But instead, the night became a stark contrast, leaving grieving families to mend what was broken. May those who perished find eternal peace. My heartfelt sympathies go out to all those impacted by this tragedy. Thank you for tuning into No Tears for Black Girls. This series is skillfully crafted by acclaimed writer and producer Jon Reedberg with the guidance of unapologetic host Samantha Paul. Catch new episodes every Tuesday and Thursday on all major podcast platforms.

13:51 You can listen anywhere, anytime, and if you truly enjoy our content, please leave a five star rating and positive review. Remember to stay loved, stay blessed, and stay safe.