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Luther Campbell of 2 Live Crew comes to Diddy’s defense, floats conspiracy theory his legal woes are related to liquor lawsuit

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Former 2 Live Crew rapper Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell has come to Sean Diddy” Combs’ defense.

Campbell — who is planning to run for Congress in his home state of Florida — has been floating a conspiracy theory online that Diddy’s recent legal issues are somehow related to his bitter legal beef with liquor brand Diageo, which was settled earlier this year.

Sources familiar with Diddy say they think there’s something to it.

Campbell said in a social media clip: “When you get your billions, and they put you on a pedestal, that’s because they put you up on a pedestal. They made you the guy. They place you on every network. They sold you to all y’all on here.”

Luther Campbell
Luther Campbell says of Diddy, “they put you on a pedestal.” Getty Images
Luther Campbell
The Miami rapper has defended Diddy online. Getty Images for BET

But when we reached to Campbell for more details, his reps said his comments were made prior to Diddy’s homes being raided by the feds, and that he couldn’t say anything more.

“The comments you hear from Uncle Luke were recorded prior to the raid. Now, that this is a live legal case, Uncle Luke is unable to make comments,” said a spokesperson.

Campbell previously mused in an Instagram Live clip of Diddy’s recent onslaught of legal issues: “Your mama say, ‘Never bite the hand that feeds you,’ and so this is how the major corporations work. When you try to come after them. Now you put a lawsuit in. Bam! Lawsuit! ‘F–k that s–t, I’m suing their ass. I’m taking their company down… I want out of this contract.'”

He added. “You can affect their stock and cause them in one day billions of dollars.”

He wasn’t more specific about the connection between the Diageo dispute and Diddy’s legal problems.

Diddy
Diddy previously was in an unrelated legal battle with Diageo. Getty Images
Homeland security
Two of Diddy’s homes were raided by the feds. AFP via Getty Images

But a source familiar with Diddy told us, “There’s something there… It’s a weird coincidence.”

Another hip hop insider, former MTV host Ed Lover, also said on a YouTube show, “Why did all this stuff start happening? Right with the Diageo… to me that s–t is written on the wall… Somebody that got some money is putting their foot up Puff’s ass, I’m telling you.”

Diageo did not immediately return a request for comment, and a rep for Diddy did not comment.

Luther Campbell
Campbell is also known as “Uncle Luke.” Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock
Luther Campbell
The rapper was the leader of the infamous 2 Live Crew. Getty Images for SiriusXM

Campbell also said, however, in a separate podcast interview, that he used to attend Diddy’s Miami parties — but would leave early.

“I would go to the party and leave early,” he said on the “We In Miami” podcast. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what goes on after hours, but I wasn’t trying to find out.”

Campbell also said online of the Diddy drama: “When you sign up to these major corporations and they make you a billionaire and you’re doing all kind of wild s–t… and they make you a billionaire, they feel like they made you. So when you go rogue and get to that talking that s–t about suing them and talking all that wild s–t… them people coming.”

Luther Campbell
Campbell was recently interviewed at Page Six’s studio. Page Six
Diddy
Diddy has denied the allegations against him in a number of recent lawsuits. Getty Images for Sean "Diddy" Combs

Diddy previously accused Diageo — which owns his Ciroc Vodka and DeLeón Tequila brands — of racist tactics and underinvesting in the spirits that he had promoted or co-owned.

The hip hop mogul had alleged that his business partner “sabotaged” his DeLeón brand with shoddy packaging that “made the product look cheap,” according to his legal complaint.

Diddy also alleged that Diageo “did not support [DeLeón and Ciroc] as promised, repeatedly failing to provide sufficient support for production, distribution and sales,” according to the court documents.

Police
Diddy’s lawyer has called the raids a “witch hunt.” AFP via Getty Images

He also said in his filing that Diageo’s classification system labeled Ciroc and DeLeón as “urban,” “African American” and “black” brands, based on the “misguided belief that a black entrepreneur could only appeal to others who shared his skin color.”

The liquor giant fired back in its own motion to dismiss the case that it poured “over $100 million” into DeLeón, and alleged Combs only made a “$1,000 initial capital contribution.”

In January, the parties settled after a seven-month legal battle, and Diageo and Combs said in a joint statement: “Mr. Combs has withdrawn all of his allegations about Diageo and will voluntarily dismiss his lawsuits against Diageo with prejudice. Diageo and Mr. Combs have no ongoing business relationship, either with respect to Ciroc Vodka or DeLeón Tequila, which Diageo now solely owns.”

Campbell, 63, whose 1989 album with 2 Live Crew, “As Nasty As They Wanna Be,” was the center of a landmark obscenity case, told Page Six last week that he was plotting a run for federal office.

“I’m gonna make an announcement in a couple of weeks,” he said. “I think I have a great chance of winning.”

Campbell officially launched a political committee in January to explore unseating incumbent Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick (D-Fla.) in the Sunshine State’s 20th Congressional District, The Bulwark reported.

Homeland Security
Homeland security confirmed it raided the homes, but did not add any details. GC Images

Diddy’s homes in Florida and California were raided by the feds on March 25, in a move the music mogul’s lawyer has called a “witch hunt.”

A rep for Homeland Security Investigations confirmed the raids to Page Six last week, by saying, “We will provide further information as it becomes available.”

During the raid in Los Angeles, Diddy’s sons were seen being handcuffed and questioned.

Homeland Security Investigation agents
During the raid in Los Angeles, his sons were handcuffed and questioned. AFP via Getty Images

Diddy, 54, was in Miami when the raids occurred and was photographed pacing around Miami-Opa Locka Executive Airport.

His lawyer said in a statement that, “there was a gross overuse of military-level force as search warrants were executed at Mr. Combs’ residences. There is no excuse for the excessive show of force and hostility exhibited by authorities or the way his children and employees were treated.”

The attorney added, “Mr. Combs was never detained but spoke to and cooperated with authorities. Despite media speculation, neither Mr. Combs nor any of his family members have been arrested nor has their ability to travel been restricted in any way.”

Prior to the raids, the Bad Boy Records founder was the subject of several lawsuits accusing Combs of sexual assault and rape among other allegations, which he has vehemently denied.

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