New York, New York - Superstar rapper and music industry mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs was sued Thursday by the singer Cassie, who accused him of rape and physical abuse.

The hip-hop artist subjected the R&B singer, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape, she said in her suit, filed in federal court in Manhattan.

The suit says that Ventura met Combs, also known as both Puff Daddy or P. Diddy, in 2005 when she was 19 and he was 37.

He signed her to his label, Bad Boy Records, with her hits including tracks like Me & U.

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She also began a romantic relationship with him.

Court documents characterized it as "an ostentatious, fast-paced, and drug-fueled lifestyle" and called Combs "a vicious, cruel, and controlling man" who wielded power over Ventura, both as her boss and as one of hip-hop's leading figures.

In a statement to AFP, Combs's lawyer Ben Brafman "vehemently" denied the allegations, calling them "offensive and outrageous."

Combs accused Ventura of blackmail, saying her aim was to "tarnish" his reputation and gain a payout.

In response to that statement, Douglas Wigdor, an attorney on Ventura's legal team, said Combs had previously offered her money to prevent a filing, but that she "rejected his efforts and decided to give a voice to all women who suffer in silence. Ms. Ventura should be applauded for her bravery."

"No human should have to endure what Ms. Ventura has endured," Wigdor added.

Separately, Ventura, now 37, said in a statement that "after years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story, and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships."