Sean Combs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sean Combs
Combs at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival
Born	Sean John Combs (1969-11-04) November 4, 1969 (age 55) New York City, U.S.
Other names	Puffy Puff Puff Daddy P. Diddy Diddy PD Love Brother Love
Occupation	Rapper songwriter record producer entrepreneur record executive television producer
Years active	1990–2024
Works	Discography filmography production
Partner(s)	Kimberly Porter (1994–2007) Cassie Ventura (2007–2018) Yung Miami (2021–2024)
Children	7, including King Combs
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	East Coast hip hop R&B
Labels	Arista Atlantic Bad Boy BMG Epic Interscope Love Motown Universal Uptown
Signature

Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), known by many names including Diddy, Puff Daddy, and P. Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and businessman. He is famous for his work in the music industry and for building a successful business empire.

Born in Harlem, New York City, Combs started his career as a talent director at Uptown Records. In 1993, he founded his own record label, Bad Boy Records. Through his label, he helped discover and guide many famous artists, such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher.

Combs's first album, No Way Out (1997), was a huge success. It reached the top of the Billboard 200 chart and sold over 7 million copies in the United States. Two songs from the album, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "I'll Be Missing You", became number-one hits.

Besides music, Combs is a successful entrepreneur. He started the clothing line Sean John, co-founded the TV network Revolt, and was a brand ambassador for Cîroc vodka. For his many achievements, he has won three Grammy Awards and has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early life

Sean John Combs was born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York City. He was raised in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother, Janice Combs, was a model and a teacher's assistant. His father, Melvin Earl Combs, served in the U.S. Air Force. His father passed away when Combs was two years old.

Combs graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy in 1987, where he played football. He said he got the nickname "Puff" as a kid because he would "huff and puff" when he was upset. He later studied business at Howard University but left after two years to follow his dreams in the music industry.

Career

1990–1996: Starting in the Music Business

In 1990, Combs started as an intern at Uptown Records in New York. As a talent director, he helped develop popular R&B groups like Jodeci and Mary J. Blige.

After leaving Uptown Records in 1993, Combs started his own record label, Bad Boy Records. He signed his friend, rapper Christopher Wallace, who was known as The Notorious B.I.G.. The Notorious B.I.G.'s first album, Ready to Die (1994), was a huge success and helped make Bad Boy Records famous. Combs also signed other artists like Faith Evans, 112, and Mase. His team of producers, called The Hitmen, created hit songs for many famous artists, including Mariah Carey, TLC, and Boyz II Men.

1996–1998: Becoming "Puff Daddy"

In 1996, Combs began his own rapping career under the name Puff Daddy. His first single, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", was a number-one hit. His first album, No Way Out, came out in 1997 and also went to number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album had several hit singles. "I'll Be Missing You", a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., was the first rap song ever to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Some critics said he used too many samples from older songs, but his music was very popular.

1999–2004: New Name and New Projects

Combs at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2000

Combs's second album, Forever, was released in 1999. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart and had three hit singles.

In 2001, Combs changed his stage name from "Puff Daddy" to "P. Diddy." He also started acting, appearing in movies like Made and Monster's Ball. He released the album The Saga Continues... in 2001, which also reached number two on the charts.

From 2002 to 2009, he was the executive producer of the MTV reality show Making the Band. The show created several musical groups, including Danity Kane and Day26. In 2003, Combs ran the New York City Marathon and raised $2 million for New York City schools.

2005–2009: Becoming "Diddy"

Combs performing at the Tribeca Film Festival in 2007

In 2005, Combs changed his name again, this time to "Diddy." He said he wanted a simpler name that was easier for fans to use. He starred in the movie Carlito's Way: Rise to Power and a Broadway play called A Raisin in the Sun.

He released the album Press Play in 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album included the hit singles "Come to Me" and "Last Night". In 2008, he started a reality show on VH1 called I Want to Work for Diddy.

2010–2017: Dirty Money and Acting

Combs in 2013

In 2009, Combs formed a group called Diddy – Dirty Money with singers Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper. Their album, Last Train to Paris (2010), featured the hit song "Coming Home".

During this time, Combs also continued to act. He appeared in the comedy movie Get Him to the Greek (2010) and had guest roles on TV shows like Hawaii Five-0 and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

In 2016, he organized the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour to celebrate the 20th anniversary of his record label. The tour featured many of the artists who had been part of Bad Boy Records over the years.

2018–2024: "Love" and a New Album

Combs in 2023

In 2017, Combs announced another name change, to "Love" or "Brother Love." He later made this name change official.

In 2023, he released his fifth studio album, The Love Album: Off the Grid. It was his first album in many years and was released independently through his new label, Love Records. The album featured many popular artists, including The Weeknd and 21 Savage. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album.

Business career

Combs is known as a smart businessman. Forbes magazine has named him one of the wealthiest entertainers in the world.

Sean John

A billboard for Sean John on Broadway in 2011.

In 1998, Combs launched his own clothing line called Sean John. The brand became very popular, and in 2004, Combs won the Menswear Designer of the Year award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. The brand also created a popular men's perfume called "I Am King."

Other Ventures

Combs has been involved in many other businesses. For many years, he partnered with the vodka brand Cîroc, helping it become one of the most popular brands in the world. In 2023, their partnership came to an end.

In 2013, he co-founded Revolt TV, a television network focused on music and culture. He also has a stake in Aquahydrate, a beverage company, and has invested in other companies.

Personal life

Family and Relationships

Combs with his sons Christian and Justin at the Spider-Man 3 premiere in 2007

Combs has seven children. His first son, Justin, was born in 1993. From 1994 to 2007, he was in a long-term relationship with Kim Porter. He adopted her son, Quincy, from a previous relationship. Together, they had a son, Christian, and twin daughters. Porter passed away in 2018. Combs has two other daughters from other relationships.

His son Christian is also a rapper, known as King Combs. In 2022, they became the first father and son to have number-one songs on different Billboard charts at the same time.

Charity Work and Honors

Combs's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

Combs is known for his charity work. In 1995, he started Daddy's House Social Programs to help children in need. He has donated money, computers, and books to schools. After Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he pledged $1 million to help victims.

In 2008, Combs received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first male rapper to get one. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University, his former university. He also donated $1 million to the university to create a scholarship fund for students.

Discography

• No Way Out (as Puff Daddy) (1997)
• Forever (as Puff Daddy) (1999)
• The Saga Continues... (as P. Diddy) (2001)
• Press Play (as P. Diddy) (2006)
• Last Train to Paris (with Dirty Money) (2010)
• 11 11 (with Guy Gerber) (as Puff Daddy) (2014)
• The Love Album: Off the Grid (2023)

Filmography

Film

Television

Awards and nominations

Combs has won many awards for his work in music and business. He has won three Grammy Awards, three BET Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. In 2022, he received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023, he was given the key to New York City and received the Global Icon Award at the MTV Video Music Awards.

See also

In Spanish: Sean Combs para niños