Dawn Richard Claims Diddy Didn't Think Danity Kane Could Outsell Cassie

BY Erika Marie 3.1K Views
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Listening Session with Danity Kane Hosted by Sean Diddy Combs - June 28, 2006
Sean "Diddy" Combs with Shannon, Wanita, Aundrea, Aubrey and Dawn of Danity Kane (Photo by Michael Tran/FilmMagic)
She says Bad Boy was unprepared for their success and the group had to sew their own costumes from Forever 21 fashions.

They were a girl group that stormed the industry after being constructed by Sean "Diddy" Combs, but Dawn Richard is giving insight into the trials of Danity Kane. Richard was a singer in the quintet that took over the charts after coming together on Making the Band. The reality series followed hopefuls looking for their big break. Diddy and his team not only chose each singer but they documented the process of whipping them into shape. All these years later, many of the ladies have spoken out against their time on the show.

Dawn Richard has continued her career as a solo artist and creative. She's continued to release music, and in a new interview, she revealed the Bad Boy "didn't believe" in Danity Kane. "We were a show," Richard told FashionXRadio. "Puff saw money. He saw ratings. MTV, that was where the money was. Danity Kane was just a concept of something bigger. He had no clue we were gonna be that big."

2010 BET Awards - Nominees, Host And Performers Announcement
NEW YORK - MAY 18: Music group Dirty Money's Dawn Richard snd Sean 'Diddy' Combs attend the 2010 BET Awards nominees, host and performers announcement at 230 Fifth Avenue on May 18, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Charles Eshelman/FilmMagic)
Read More: Diddy’s Alleged Abuse Towards Danity Kane Had A Purpose, Says Dawn Richard

"I'll tell you: when we first came out, they said only do 100,000 copies 'cause they not gon' do more than Cassie. That's what they told us when the first album came out. We sold 100,000 in a day, and they had to figure out how to get more units in by the time the week [ended]. They barely got it, and we ended up selling 230,000 copies."

The host chimed in to say that the label was lacking and didn't have enough product. "They didn't think we would sell," Richard added. "When were touring, they wouldn't give us any money. So, we were sewing our costumes from Forever 21." This isn't the first grievance a Danity Kane artist has brought up against Diddy. Aubrey O'Day has been vocal about Combs, often lashing out about his methods on social media.

Over the years, there have been murmurs about some of Danity Kane's reunions. Richard, O'Day, and Shannon Bex came together as a Danity Kane trio, but still, the ladies opted to continue flying solo.

About The Author
Since 2019, Erika Marie has worked as a journalist for HotNewHipHop, covering music, film, television, art, fashion, politics, and all things regarding entertainment. With 20 years in the industry under her belt, Erika Marie moved from a writer on the graveyard shift at HNHH to becoming a Features Editor, highlighting long-form content and interviews with some of Hip Hop’s biggest stars. She has had the pleasure of sitting down with artists and personalities like DJ Jazzy Jeff, Salt ’N Pepa, Nick Cannon, Rah Digga, Rakim, Rapsody, Ari Lennox, Jacquees, Roxanne Shante, Yo-Yo, Sean Paul, Raven Symoné, Queen Naija, Ryan Destiny, DreamDoll, DaniLeigh, Sean Kingston, Reginae Carter, Jason Lee, Kamaiyah, Rome Flynn, Zonnique, Fantasia, and Just Blaze—just to name a few. In addition to one-on-one chats with influential public figures, Erika Marie also covers content connected to the culture. She’s attended and covered the BET Awards as well as private listening parties, the Rolling Loud festival, and other events that emphasize established and rising talents. Detroit-born and Long Beach (CA)-raised, Erika Marie has eclectic music taste that often helps direct the interests she focuses on here at HNHH. She finds it necessary to report on cultural conversations with respect and honor those on the mic and the hardworking teams that help get them there. Moreover, as an advocate for women, Erika Marie pays particular attention to the impact of femcees. She sits down with rising rappers for HNHH—like Big Jade, Kali, Rubi Rose, Armani Caesar, Amy Luciani, and Omerettà—to gain their perspectives on a fast-paced industry.

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