Sean "Diddy" Combs
Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur. He began his career in the music industry as the director of A&R at Uptown Records in the early 1990s, where he helped launch the careers of Mary J. Blige and Jodeci.
He later founded his record label, Bad Boy Records, which released successful albums by The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, and others. Combs has also released several solo albums, including "No Way Out" (1997) and "Forever" (1999).
He has won multiple Grammy Awards and has been nominated for several others. In addition to his music career, Combs has also been involved in fashion, television, and film production and in various philanthropic endeavors.
Sean John Combs was born in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City on November 4, 1969. Raised in Mount Vernon, New York, his mother, Janice Combs, was a model and teacher's assistant, and his father, Melvin Earl Combs, served in the U.S. Air Force and was an associate of convicted New York drug dealer Frank Lucas. At age 33, Melvin was killed while sitting in his car on Central Park West when Sean was two years old.
Combs graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in 1987. He played football for the academy, and his team won a division title in 1986. Combs said he was given the nickname "Puff" as a child because he would "huff and puff" when angry. Combs was a business major at Howard University but left after his sophomore year. In 2014, he returned to Howard University to receive an Honorary Doctorate in Humanities and to deliver the University's 146th Commencement Address.
Combs describes his wardrobe style as "swagger, timeless, diverse." On September 2, 2007, Combs held his ninth annual "White Party," at which guests are limited to an all-white dress code. The White Party, also held in St. Tropez, was born in his East Hampton, New York home. Combs stated, "This party is up there with the top three I've thrown. It's a party that has legendary status. It's hard to throw a party that lives up to its legend."
