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), also known by his stage name Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer, and businessman. He was 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. He is known for discovering and helping artists like 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 U.S. Two songs from the album, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "I'll Be Missing You", became number-one hits. "I'll Be Missing You" was the first hip-hop song ever to start at the top of the charts. His later albums, like Forever (1999) and Press Play (2006), were also very popular.

Combs is one of the wealthiest musicians in the world. He has won three Grammy Awards, three BET Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. He also created the reality TV show Making the Band and has acted in movies like Made (2001) and Get Him to the Greek (2010). In 1998, he launched the clothing line Sean John. In 2008, he became the first male rapper to get a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Early Life and Education

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. Melvin passed away when Combs was only two years old.

Combs was raised in the Catholic faith and was an altar boy. He went to Mount Saint Michael Academy, an all-boys Catholic school, and graduated in 1987. He played football there, and his team won a division title in 1986. He got the nickname "Puff" as a kid because he would "huff and puff" when he was upset. After high school, Combs studied business at Howard University but left after his second year to focus on his career.

Music Career

1990–1996: Starting at Uptown Records

In 1990, Combs started as an intern at Uptown Records in New York. He worked as a talent director under the label's founder, Andre Harrell. There, he helped develop famous R&B groups and singers like Jodeci and Mary J. Blige.

In 1993, Combs started his own record label, Bad Boy Records. He signed the Notorious B.I.G., who became a huge star. The label's first major album was The Notorious B.I.G.'s Ready to Die (1994). Combs also signed other artists like Faith Evans, 112, and Mase. His team of producers, called The Hitmen, worked with many famous artists, including Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, and Aretha Franklin.

1996–1998: Becoming Puff Daddy

In 1996, Combs began his own rapping career under the name Puff Daddy. His first song, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", was a number-one hit. His first album, No Way Out, came out in 1997. It was released after his friend, The Notorious B.I.G., passed away.

No Way Out was a massive success. It sold 561,000 copies in its first week and reached 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 number one for 11 weeks. The album won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album.

1999–2004: New Name and New Music

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. In 2001, Combs changed his stage name from "Puff Daddy" to "P. Diddy." He released the album The Saga Continues... under this new name. It also reached number two on the charts and was certified Platinum.

During this time, Combs also acted in movies like Made and Monster's Ball. He was the executive producer of the MTV reality show Making the Band from 2002 to 2009. The show created music groups like Danity Kane and Day26. In 2003, he 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 starred in the movie Carlito's Way: Rise to Power and a Broadway play called A Raisin in the Sun. He also hosted the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards.

He released the album Press Play in 2006. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart. The album had hit singles like "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 Roles

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), had the hit song "Coming Home". The song was a top hit in the U.S., the UK, and Canada.

Combs continued to act, appearing in the comedy movie Get Him to the Greek (2010). He also had guest roles in 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.

2018–Present: The Love Era

Combs in 2023

In 2017, Combs announced he wanted to be called "Love" or "Brother Love." In 2022, he started a new record label called Love Records. He also released a new single, "Gotta Move On", featuring Bryson Tiller.

On September 15, 2023, Combs released his fifth album, The Love Album: Off the Grid. The album featured many artists, including the Weeknd and 21 Savage. It reached number 19 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album.

Business Career

Combs is a very successful businessman. Forbes magazine said he earned $130 million in 2017, making him the highest-paid entertainer that year. By 2022, his net worth was estimated to be around $1 billion.

Sean John Clothing

A billboard for Sean John on Broadway in 2011.

In 1998, Combs launched his clothing line, Sean John. The brand became very popular. In 2004, the Council of Fashion Designers of America named him the Menswear Designer of the Year. The brand also sells a men's perfume called "I Am King."

Other Business Ventures

Combs has been involved in many other businesses. He helped develop the Cîroc vodka brand and had a major stake in Revolt TV, a television network. He also co-owned Aquahydrate, a beverage company, with actor Mark Wahlberg.

Personal Life

Combs with his sons Christian and Justin at a movie premiere in 2007.

Combs has seven children. His first son, Justin, was born in 1993. From 1994 to 2007, he was in a relationship with Kimberly Porter. He adopted her son, Quincy. Together, they had a son, Christian, and twin daughters. Porter passed away in 2018. Combs has two other daughters, born in 2006 and 2022.

In 2022, Combs and his son Christian (King Combs) both had number-one songs at the same time. This was the first time a father and son had done this.

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. He was the first male rapper to get this honor. In 2014, he received an honorary doctorate degree from Howard University, his former college. He also donated $1 million to the university to create a scholarship fund for students.

Discography

• No Way Out (1997)
• Forever (1999)
• The Saga Continues... (2001)
• Press Play (2006)
• Last Train to Paris (2010)
• The Love Album: Off the Grid (2023)

Filmography

Film

Television

See also

In Spanish: Sean Combs para niños