Artist description SEAN COMBS THE BIOGRAPHY It is a rare and significant occasion when a musical artist captures and expresses the sentiments of a generation and expands his horizons to make an impact on society, creating a union between music and life. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs is undoubtedly among this very select, very small group. With the roots of his talent stemming from rap and hip-hop but reaching way beyond those parameters, Sean has torn down the barricades that continue to segregate music and society. Through his music, he has allowed different genres – be it hip-hop, pop, soul, rap or underground – to integrate, and in the process, has given birth to a new and unique form. For superstar artists like Mary J. Blige, Smashing Pumpkins, Jennifer Lopez, R. Kelly, Sting, Mariah Carey, Aretha Franklin, Boyz II Men, Jay-Z, Dream, Lil’ Kim, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans, 112 and many more, Sean has produced multi-platinum, chart-dominating hits. As CEO and founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, a pioneering producer, rapper and pop phenomenon, Sean has become one of today’s most extraordinary, accomplished and unforgettable talents. Sean Combs was born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem to Melvin and Janice Combs. The tragic murder of his father when he was just two years old forced his mom Janice to move Sean and his sister Keisha to a safer environment in Mount Vernon, New York. Janice Combs worked three jobs to provide the best opportunities for her family and education for her children. Sean attended the Mount Vernon Montessori School and later the Mount St. Michael Academy, where his entrepreneurial flair was first exhibited through his successful paper route at the age of 12. Sean attended Howard University in Washington, D.C, but his real education began when he signed up for an internship at Uptown Entertainment, where he met the man who would become his mentor, industry leader Andre Harrell (former President of Bad Boy Entertainment). Shuttling back and forth from Washington D.C. to New York City, Combs’ extraordinary energy and commitment earned him the leap from intern at Uptown to Director of A&R at the age of 19. Shortly thereafter, in 1991, He became the careful sculptor of the careers of Uptown artists Jodeci and Mary J. Blige. He produced their music and influenced their image by tapping into the style and flare of urban youth. This brilliant combination ushered in the new musical genre of hip-hop soul, catapulting the music and style of African-American youth into the American mainstream and super-stardom. In 1993, Sean left Uptown , but he reemerged later the same year with a groundbreaking new company of his own, which he branded Bad Boy Entertainment. 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 “Ready to Die” album which boasted Brooklyn-style beats combined with masterful storytelling. Several hit singles came out of 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 (1995). 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. 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 will once again keep the dance floors jammed. What originally began as a compilation, now features new music from P. Diddy, showcasing his evolution as an artist. This album follows in the tradition of “No Way Out,” featuring today’s hottest stars, nurturing new talent and producing 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, G. Dep, as well as future stars Kain, the Hoodfellaz, Mark Curry and Cheri Denis. Already having spawned two heat-seeking singles before 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 – the project promises to be a landmark album in P. Diddy’s career. Marking a turning point in his signature style, the album is comprised of entirely original beats and music. Sean serves as executive producer on the project 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.” Sean is equally sought after for his advice and career guidance as he is for his talent in the studio. 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’ Edmunds Record Group; former Bad Boy product manager Jayson Jackson who now manages 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” Edmunds’ New 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 both 2000 and 2001; Justin Combs Music Publishing; Bad Boy Marketing; Bad Boy Productions; Daddy’s House Studios; Daddy’s House Social Programs; Bad Boy Technologies (Puffdaddy.com and BadBoyOnline.com); Bad Boy Films and Bad Boy Books. His Sean John clothing line will soon introduce an underwear and women’s line. Most recently, Sean has taken on the film industry, making his acting debut in the Artisan comedy “Made,” directed by Jon Favreau (“Swingers”). He will also take a role in the upcoming Lion’s Gate feature “Monster’s Ball.” Sean and Bad Boy’s rising success has helped him follow through on his private vow to give back to the community that had supported him in his youth and career. Knowing the positive impact the consistent and careful guidance of his family, teachers and mentors had on his own life, Sean established Daddy’s House Social Programs, Inc. in 1995 to create educational programs and initiatives in inner-city youth. Far exceeding a simple charitable gesture, Sean helps to create and fund innovative youth programs, including Wall Street training teams, college visit tours for high school seniors, international travel groups, summer camp programs and internships at Bad Boy which Combs himself instructs. Sean returned to Howard University to donate $1 million to help continue the institution’s commitment to educating African-American youth. Furthering the cause, Combs’ helped to bridge the digital divide in urban schools by donating more than 100 computers to 500 New York City public schools. On Thanksgiving in 2000, Daddy’s House annual food drive for underprivileged families took on a more special and somber meaning. Learning of the passing of civil rights leader Rev. Hosea Williams, Combs’ was asked by the late leader’s daughter to carry on his legacy. Combs’ carried the torch of Rev. William’s mission by sponsoring the annual Hosea’s Feed the Hungry and Homeless Thanksgiving Day dinner for more than 30,000 people in Atlanta. Sean “P. Diddy” Combs’ career continues on the road of tireless and indomitable creativity. In ten years, he has used every minute to build, inspire, create and share the success of an entertainment empire. Sean’s knack not only to create his own music, but his intrinsic ability to discover and nurture talent – as he did with Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliot, teen-sensation Dream, Jodeci and Mary J. Blige – is what keeps him at the top of the industry. Most recently Sean launched the careers of Black Rob, Carl Thomas, SHYNE, G. Dep and DREAM, all of who have already dominated charts and are being celebrated by fans across the world. Sean is ready to break into the millenium with more of the same success as he closely crafts and launches new Bad Boy artists Cheri Denis and Marc Curry. Sean’s innate talent will continue to impress upon the entertainment industry, fans and society to closely follow his future. Sean Combs is a proud father to sons Justin, 7, Christian, 3, and his nine-year old step-son Quincy and resides in Manhattan, New York.

Location Harlem, NY - USA

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