New York, New York - Rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs pleaded not guilty Friday to a new indictment that added accusations to his US federal sex trafficking and racketeering case.

The superseding indictment says that as the hip-hop magnate sexually abused people and coerced them into drug-fueled sex parties using threats and violence, he forced employees to work long hours while demanding their silence.

The 55-year-old wore a tan shirt and pants in the Manhattan courtroom to enter the plea in the criminal case scheduled to go to trial this spring, with in-person jury selection to tentatively begin May 5 and opening statements expected May 12.

Combs has denied all charges.

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Public allegations have been building against the Grammy winner since late 2023, when singer Cassie, whose real name is Casandra Ventura, alleged Combs subjected her to more than a decade of coercion by physical force and drugs as well as a 2018 rape.

Along with the federal criminal case, Combs faces a mountain of civil suits, complaints that allege harrowing abuse by the artist with assistance from a loyal network of employees and associates.

The one-time rap superstar has been incarcerated since September, during which time he's started to look noticeably aged, with a crop of salt-and-pepper hair.

During Friday's hearing, he smiled, waved, and blew kisses to a row of supporters, including two of his children and his mother.