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Combs initially had only two artists secured to the label: former EPMD roadie Craig Mack and friend/frequent collaborator the Notorious B.I.G. The company’s break can be credited mostly to the making and launching of Notorious B.I.G.’s multi-platinum debut album “Ready to Die†which boasted Brooklyn-style beats combined with masterful storytelling. Several hit singles came from this album, which brought Bad Boy and Combs industry-wide respect and praise. Sean was clearly recognized as a power producer, arranger and CEO who had an ear for recognizing great talent and developing big hits. Major recording artists including Mariah Carey, TLC, Lil’ Kim and Usher sought Combs’ production, video cameos and advice. This string of hits allowed Combs’ to parlay Bad Boy’s success into an unprecedented 50/50 joint venture with music industry legend Clive Davis and Arista Records in (1996). Bad Boy quickly took off, signing, developing and producing such platinum acts as Faith Evans (then wife of Notorious B.I.G.), female trio Total, and male vocal group 112. However, in June 2002, after one of the most successful and consistent hit-producing partnerships in the music business of the past decade, Arista Records and Bad Boy Entertainment amicably ended their joint venture. As a part of the deal, Combs gained full control of Bad Boy Records, including the complete artist roster and entire catalogue. February 2003 brought the announcement that Bad Boy Records had signed a worldwide distribution deal with Universal Records. Under the auspices of the deal, Universal will provide marketing and promotional support for Bad Boy’s roster and distribute both the Bad Boy Catalogue and all new releases from the label. Most importantly, Sean “P. Diddy†Combs retains 100% ownership of Bad Boy Records.In addition to the numerous accolades he continues to receive as a producer, Sean "Puffy" Combs was also an acclaimed and much sought after remix whiz. Beginning with his work at Uptown Records, where Combs remixed hits such as Jodeci's "Come & Talk To Me," and continuing throughout his career as he paired KRS-One with Debbie Harry on "Step Into A World," and amped up Mariah Carey's "Honey." His work continues to this day and his golden touch is evident on remixes for artists such as Janet Jackson and Mary J. Blige. Combs has breathed new life into songs and has given tracks such as Jackson's "Son of a Gun" and Blige's "No More Drama" a second chance to climb up the music charts.Having truly mastered – and indeed redefined – the collaborative process, Sean commenced work on his own solo album debut. In January 1997, he released an early single, “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down†(featuring new Bad Boy discovery Mase), which held the ..1 spot on Billboard’s “Hot R&B Singles†chart for nearly two months, spawned four record-breaking singles, and went platinum seven times over. His album “No Way Out†also featured a Grammy-winning tribute to his prodigy and good friend, the late Notorious B.I.G., entitled “I’ll Be Missing You,†which was a remix of the Police’s 1993 song “Every Breath You Take†featuring Evans and Mase; “It’s All About the Benjamins/Been Around The World†with Notorious B.I.G. and Mase; and “Victory†featuring B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes. “No Way Out,†by Puff Daddy & The Family, debuted at ..1 on the R&B charts and stayed on the charts for an astounding 28 weeks spanning 1997 and 1998. In all, six songs produced by Sean added up to 42 weeks at ..1 on Billboard’s “Hot Rap Singles†chart. The album generated nearly two-dozen industry award nominations and won two Grammy awards, including Best Rap Album of the Year.Sean also broke down the last remaining barriers in music by integrating different genres with the international hits “Come With Me†on which he collaborated with rock legend Jimmy Page and “Benjamins Rock†with The Foo Fighters. His seamless mix of hip-hop and rock, first introduced by musical pioneers Run DMC/Aerosmith and Public Enemy, will go down in the annals of music history as the beginning of a new musical genre that left the doors wide-open for acts like Limp Bizkit and Kid Rock. Sean’s performance of “I’ll Be Missing You†with guest artists Sting, Faith Evans and 112 at the 1998 MTV Video Music Awards was the defining moment that hip-hop had finally arrived. Following in the footsteps of pioneers, such as Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan, that fearlessly changed the face of their game, he has left an indelible mark that forever altered the sound, energy and dynamics of music.In 1999, Sean released his second album, “Forever,†an album to usher in the millennium. “Forever,†which enjoyed multi-platinum success, was designed to push the edges of music while allowing hip-hop to assume its rightful place in the pantheon of global diversity. With hits like “Satisfy You†(which earned ..1 single on both Billboard’s Rap and R&B charts) and “Best-Friend,†“Forever†demonstrated his ability to continuously innovate and entertain.With the release of “P. Diddy & The Bad Boy Family … The Saga Continues,†Sean once again kept the dance floors jammed. What originally began as a compilation, became a showcase for new music from P. Diddy, and chronicled his evolution as an artist. This album followed in the tradition of “No Way Out,†featured the day’s hottest stars, nurtured new talent and produced thunderously mesmerizing hip-hop tracks and seductively vibrant R&B grooves. The hip-hop impresario collaborated with superstar Bad Boy labelmates Faith Evans, 112, Black Rob and G. Dep, as well as future stars Kain, the Hoodfellaz, Mark Curry and Cheri Denis. The album spawned two heat-seeking singles before ever being released – “Let’s Get It†featuring Three The... (G. Dep, Black Rob and P. Diddy) and “Can’t Believe†featuring the first lady of Bad Boy Faith Evans and Carl Thomas – and the anthemic chart-topper, “Bad Boy for Life.†Indeed, the project was a landmark album in P. Diddy’s career. Marking a turning point in his signature style, the album was comprised of original beats and music, as well as obscure samples. Sean served as executive producer and produced ten of the 17 tracks on the project, but also tapped the hit-making producing team the Neptunes for the song “D-I-D-D-Y.â€In May of 2002, Combs debuted at Number 1 on The Billboard 200 with "P. Diddy and Bad Boy Records Present...We Invented The Remix" featuring reworked versions of classic Bad Boy hits and never before heard collaborations. P. Diddy's own "I Need a Girl Part I" featuring Usher and Loon and “I Need a Girl Part II†featuring Ginuwine, Loon and Mario Winans both reached the very top of the charts. Other tracks include 112's "Peaches & Cream" featuring Ludacris and Ashanti's "Unfoolish" featuring Notorious B.I.G. "P. Diddy and Bad Boy Present…We Invented The Remix" is an enhanced CD including videos of remixes such as "Flava In Ya Ear," and "Special Delivery."In addition to his Midas touch in the studio and the mic, Sean is equally sought after for his advice and career guidance. Combs’ has nurtured and helped develop some of the music industry’s most respected executives and management talents, including: former Bad Boy president Kirk Burrows currently manages Grammy Award winning artist Mary J. Blige; Leota Blacknor, who began her career as an executive assistant at Bad Boy and is now president at Ruff Ryders; former executive vice president Jeff Burroughs, currently general manager of Tracey Edmunds’ Edmonds Record Group; former Bad Boy product manager Jayson Jackson who managed Grammy Award-winning artist Lauryn Hill; former product manager at Bad Boy Free is general manager of Def Jam’s subsidiary So So Def Records; and Sean’s former mentor Andre Harrell who served as President of Bad Boy and went on to serve as president at Kenneth “Babyface†Edmonds’ Nu America Records. Looking to provide the same opportunities and guidance he received early in his career as an intern at Uptown, Sean’s Bad Boy businesses have employed and provided a platform for success for hundreds of inner-city youths.Not only have Sean’s talents in the music industry become universally acknowledged, but the Bad Boy brand has come to encompass much more than just music. What started as a venture out of his own home had expanded not only into a multifaceted company, but a multi-million dollar business. Bad Boy ventures now include: Notorious Entertainment; the Sean John clothing line, which was nominated by the Council of Fashion Designers of America for the prestigious Perry Ellis Menswear Award in 2000, 2001 and 2002 for Menswear Designer of the Year Award; Blue Flame Marketing and Advertising; Justin Combs Music Publishing; Bad Boy Marketing; Bad Boy Productions; Janice Combs Management (home of legendary producers, the Hitmen); Justin’s Restaurants; Daddy’s House Studios; Daddy’s House Social Programs; Bad Boy Technologies (P-Diddy.com and BadBoyOnline.com); Bad Boy Films and Bad Boy Books. Last year, his Sean John clothing line launched its underwear and boy’s lines and will soon introduce its highly anticipated women’s line.Recently, Sean has taken on the film industry, making his acting debut in the Artisan comedy “Made,†directed by Jon Favreau (“Swingersâ€), as well as a stirring role opposite Academy Award Winner Halle Berry in the Lion’s Gate feature “Monster’s Ball.â€Premiering on MTV in October 2002, Combs is running the show in the second installment of Making the Band. The 10-episode series chronicles the formation of a mainstream hip hop/R&B group including everything from auditions and rehearsals to live performances and the ultimate competition for a record deal—all under the guidance of P. Diddy. Viewers get a VIP backstage pass into the life of P. Diddy as a businessman, successful producer and artist, and will learn what he looks for when scouting talent and forming a group.
