THE challenge with popularity is that it tends to make some people think that they have become supermen or even something bigger than other mere mortals.
These people start to think they are not like us, the ordinary human beings, and they start living in their own world.
They start behaving strangely and begin telling themselves that they are the be-all-and-end-all of everything.
In short, they start believing that they are even above the law.
We have seen it with P Diddy, an icon in the world of music and entertainment.
His real name is Sean Combs and, for decades, he was associated with the best when it comes to the musical industry.
He founded Bad Boy Records and turned it into a multi-million dollar label which produced some of the industry’s biggest stars, including the Notorious B.I.G.
But, his world fell apart when Diddy was arrested on September 16 on charges related to racketeering, sex trafficking and much more.
The rapper was taken into custody after nearly a year of ongoing investigations which included home raids and several lawsuits against him, alleging sex abuse and rape.
The allegations came to a head in September when Combs was indicted on three charges.
A judge denied the US$50 million bail proposal that his attorney put forth.
Prosecutors claimed Combs manipulated women into engaging in “highly orchestrated performances,” which he called “freak offs,” that also allegedly involved paid male sex workers.
The indictment claimed he ran a criminal enterprise and members of his staff allegedly planned events from start to finish in which Combs manipulated women to join him in drug-fueled orgys with male prostitutes, and filmed them to silence the victims after.
DJ Ribhe doe not have the same profile as Combs.
But, on the local scene, he is a big name and his profile has been growing.
He is a leading member of Chillspot Records whose other big names are DJ Fantan and DJ Levels.
This week, DJ Ribhe was arrested and appeared in court facing rape charges.
He was denied bail.
He is being accused of raping a 14-year-old Form 2 pupil with DJ Ribhe spiking her drink and raping her at his home.
Of course, DJ Ribhe is innocent at this moment until the prosecutors, who are dealing with his case, find him guilty.
But, he is not the face musician who has been sucked into such a case.
And, he probably also knows that just being associated with such a case is very bad for his profile and his career.
One would expect that stars like DJ Ribhe, because of their star status, always have women flocking into their corner.
That is why we struggle to understand how a star like him could sink so low as to be accused of raping a kid who should be given a chance to complete her education.
This is very bad, whichever way one chooses to look at this case.