Diddy is shooting his shot at bail. The Hip-hop mogul is mounting an aggressive legal defense as his federal case gains new complexity. On Friday, Diddy’s lawyers filed for bail in Manhattan federal court, arguing that “changed circumstances” and new evidence should allow the rapper to await his May 5 trial from home. Previously denied bail twice, Diddy has been held in a Brooklyn federal detention facility since his September arrest on racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking charges. He has pleaded not guilty to accusations of coercing, abusing, and intimidating women, allegedly involving his employees and associates in kidnapping, blackmail, and violence.

To strengthen their bail request, Diddy’s attorneys proposed a stricter package with around-the-clock security and severe restrictions on his communications, but kept the financial component at $50 million.

Diddy’s defense is also seeking a gag order against Courtney Burgess, a longtime acquaintance who claims to possess video evidence implicating the rapper and eight A-list celebrities. Burgess alleges that hidden tapes—originally from Diddy’s ex, the late Kim Porter—reveal compromising footage of celebrities at Diddy’s parties, including incidents involving minors. According to reports, Burgess, who was subpoenaed by a federal grand jury, is prepared to submit the footage as evidence.

Diddy’s lawyers contend that Burgess’s statements are false and damaging, accusing the government of encouraging online conspiracy theories by not dismissing his claims as a potential extortion attempt. They insist that these allegations threaten Diddy’s reputation and right to a fair trial. As the May trial date approaches, the court has yet to rule on the bail or gag order requests, leaving the fate of the embattled entertainer uncertain.

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