Sean Combs facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sean Combs
Combs in 2023
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
Children	7
Awards	Full list
Musical career
Genres	East Coast hip hop R&B
Labels	Arista Atlantic Bad Boy BMG Epic Interscope Love Motown Universal Uptown

Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969), known to many as Diddy, is a famous American rapper, music producer, and record label boss. He has also been known by other names like Puff Daddy and P. Diddy. Sean Combs was born in Harlem, New York, and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York.

He started his career at Uptown Records as a talent director. In 1993, he created his own record label, Bad Boy Records. He helped discover and develop many popular music artists, including Mary J. Blige, Usher, and the Notorious B.I.G..

Diddy's first album, No Way Out (1997), was a huge hit. It sold over 7 million copies in the US. Songs like "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 to debut at the very top of the charts. He also became the first solo artist to replace his own song at number one on the charts with "Mo Money Mo Problems".

His later albums, Forever (1999) and The Saga Continues... (2001), also did very well. He had more number one songs like "Bump, Bump, Bump" (2002) and "Shake Ya Tailfeather" (2003). In 2006, he released Press Play, which also topped the charts. Later, he formed a music group called Diddy – Dirty Money and released the album Last Train to Paris (2010). His most recent album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, came out in 2023.

Sean Combs is one of the richest musicians in the world. Forbes magazine named him the top hip-hop earner in 2014 and 2017. He has won many awards, including three Grammy Awards, three BET Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards. He has also produced TV shows like Making the Band and acted in movies such as Made (2001) and Get Him to the Greek (2010).

In 1998, Diddy started his own clothing company, Sean John. He won a major fashion award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004. He also worked with the drink brand Cîroc and co-founded the TV network Revolt in 2013. In 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, being the first male rapper to get this honor.

Early Life and Education

Sean John Combs was born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York City. He grew up in Mount Vernon, New York. His mother, Janice Combs, was a model and a teacher's assistant. His father, Melvin Earl Combs, passed away when Sean was two years old. Sean has a sister named Keisha.

He was raised in the Catholic faith and was an altar boy. In 1987, he graduated from Mount Saint Michael Academy, an all-boys Catholic school. He played football for his school, and his team won a division title in 1986. Sean Combs said he got the nickname "Puff" as a child because he would "huff and puff" when he was upset. He studied business at Howard University but left after his second year.

Music Career Highlights

Starting in Music (1990–1996)

In 1990, Sean Combs began working as an intern at Uptown Records in New York. He became a talent director there, helping artists like Jodeci and Mary J. Blige become famous. During his college days, Combs was known for throwing big parties. Singer Usher, who lived with Combs for a year, said his lifestyle was "pretty wild" back then. In 1991, an event Combs helped promote had a very large crowd, which caused problems.

After leaving Uptown in 1993, Combs started his own record label, Bad Boy Records. He brought the Notorious B.I.G. with him to the new label. Both Notorious B.I.G. and Craig Mack started recording music, and Notorious B.I.G.'s first album, Ready to Die (1994), was a big success for the label. Combs signed more artists to Bad Boy, including Faith Evans, 112, and Total. His production team, The Hitmen, worked with many other stars like Mariah Carey and TLC.

Later, Mase and the Lox joined Bad Boy Records. At this time, there was a well-known rivalry between East Coast and West Coast hip hop artists. Combs produced several songs for TLC during 1994–1995.

Becoming "Puff Daddy" and No Way Out (1996–1998)

In 1996, Sean Combs started releasing his own music as a rapper 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 on July 22, 1997. The album included many guest artists from his label. No Way Out was very successful, reaching number one on the Billboard 200 chart.

The album had five hit songs. "I'll Be Missing You", a song dedicated to the Notorious B.I.G., was the first rap song to debut at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It stayed at the top for 11 weeks. Other popular songs from the album included "It's All About the Benjamins" and "Been Around the World". Combs also worked with Jimmy Page on the song "Come with Me" for the 1998 film Godzilla.

No Way Out won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album in 1998. By 2000, the album had sold over 7 million copies. Some people at the time felt he used too many samples from old songs.

Forever Album (1999–2000)

Forever, Sean Combs's second solo album, was released in August 1999. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 chart. The album received mixed reviews from music critics. It produced three songs that appeared on the Billboard charts. This album was also his highest-charting album in Canada.

Changing to "P. Diddy" and The Saga Continues (2001–2004)

In 2001, Combs changed his stage name from "Puff Daddy" to "P. Diddy". He acted in the film Made and also appeared in Monster's Ball (both in 2001).

Combs started working with different kinds of artists. He managed singer Kelis for a short time. He also opened for the popular group ['N Sync on their 2002 tour. In June 2001, Combs took full control of Bad Boy Records.

The Saga Continues..., released in July 2001, was the last album from his joint venture. It reached number two on the Billboard 200 and later became a Platinum-selling album. This was the only album released under the name P. Diddy. Combs was also the executive producer of the reality TV show Making the Band from 2002 to 2009. This show helped create new music groups like Danity Kane. In 2003, Combs ran in the New York City Marathon, raising $2 million for New York City schools. He finished the marathon in four hours and eighteen minutes. In 2004, Combs helped lead the "Vote or Die" campaign to encourage people to vote. He also performed at the Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show.

Becoming "Diddy" and Press Play (2005–2009)

On August 16, 2005, Combs announced he was changing his stage name again, this time to "Diddy". He said fans were confused about how to call him.

Combs acted in the 2005 film Carlito's Way: Rise to Power. He also played a role in the 2004 Broadway play A Raisin in the Sun and its TV version in 2008. In 2005, Combs sold half of his record company to Warner Music Group. He hosted the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards and was named one of the 100 Most Influential People of 2005 by Time magazine.

Diddy released his album Press Play on October 17, 2006. This album debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart. Its songs "Come to Me" and "Last Night" both reached the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100. The album received good reviews and was certified Gold. In 2008, Combs started his VH1 reality series I Want to Work for Diddy. He also appeared in two episodes of CSI: Miami as a lawyer.

Diddy – Dirty Money and Acting (2010–2013)

In 2010, Combs formed a rap supergroup called the Dream Team, which included artists like Rick Ross and Busta Rhymes. In June 2010, Combs, credited as Sean Combs, acted in the comedy film Get Him to the Greek.

In 2009, Combs formed the group Diddy – Dirty Money with singers Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper. Their album, Last Train to Paris, was released in December 2010. It included popular songs like "Hello Good Morning" and "Coming Home". "Coming Home" was a big hit, reaching number 11 in the U.S. and doing well in the UK and Canada. Diddy produced the group's music and often performed with them.

In April 2011, Combs appeared in the TV show Hawaii Five-0. In November 2012, he was also in an episode of the sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.

MMM and Bad Boy Anniversaries (2014–2017)

In February 2014, Combs released "Big Homie" as the first song from his mixtape MMM (Money Making Mitch). He used his old stage name Puff Daddy for this album. MMM was released for free in November 2015. In July 2014, Combs also released a free album called 11:11 with producer Guy Gerber.

In 2015, it was announced that Combs was working on No Way Out 2, a sequel to his 1997 album, but this project was later canceled. In April 2016, Combs said he planned to retire from music after this album to focus on acting.

On May 20, 2016, Combs started a tour with many famous Bad Boy Records artists to celebrate the label's 20th anniversary. A documentary called Can't Stop, Won't Stop: A Bad Boy Story was released in 2017, showing the tour and behind-the-scenes moments.

"Love" and The Love Album: Off the Grid (2018–2024)

On November 5, 2017, Combs announced he would go by the name Love, or Brother Love. He later confirmed this change in 2018, and it became official in 2022.

In 2019, Combs announced that Making the Band would return to MTV, but it was delayed and then canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Combs was an executive producer for Nigerian singer Burna Boy's album, Twice as Tall, released in 2020.

Combs hosted the 2022 Billboard Music Awards. In May 2022, he started a new record label called Love Records. He released the song "Gotta Move On" in June, which was his first song on the Billboard Hot 100 in a long time. On August 22, 2023, Combs announced his fifth album, The Love Album: Off the Grid, which came out on September 15, 2023. The album's main song was "Another One of Me" with the Weeknd, French Montana, and 21 Savage. The album was released independently.

The Love Album: Off the Grid was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Progressive R&B Album in 2024.

Business Ventures

Fortune magazine listed Sean Combs as one of the top 40 entrepreneurs under 40 in 2002. Forbes magazine estimated that he earned $130 million in 2017, making him the highest-earning entertainer that year. He is one of the wealthiest musicians, with an estimated net worth of $1 billion by 2022.

Sean John Clothing

In 1998, Combs started his clothing line, Sean John. It was nominated for a major fashion award in 2000 and won the Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2004. In 2006, the department store Macy's stopped selling some Sean John jackets when they found out they were made with real fur. Combs stopped production as soon as he learned about it.

In 2008, Sean John added a men's perfume line called "I Am King." In 2016, Sean John also launched a GIRLS collection.

Other Businesses

Combs is the head of Combs Enterprises, which manages all his businesses. Besides his clothing line, Combs owned two restaurants called Justin's, named after his son. He also designed a special jersey for the Dallas Mavericks basketball team. From 2007 to 2023, Combs helped promote the Cîroc vodka brand.

In 2008, Combs bought the Enyce clothing line. He also has a big ownership stake in Revolt TV, a television network that started broadcasting in 2014. In 2015, Combs, along with actor Mark Wahlberg, invested in Aquahydrate, a special beverage for athletes. In 2019, Combs invested in PlayVS, a company that helps organize competitive gaming in US high schools.

Personal Life

Sean Combs has seven children. His oldest biological son, Justin, was born in 1993. Justin went to UCLA on a football scholarship. Combs also raised and adopted Quincy, born in 1991, who is the son of his former partner, Kimberly Porter, from a previous relationship. Combs and Kimberly Porter (who passed away in 2018) had a son, Christian, born in 1998, and twin daughters, born in 2006.

Five months before his twins were born, Combs had another daughter with Sarah Chapman. He took legal responsibility for her in 2007. His seventh child, a daughter, was born in October 2022.

In November 2022, Combs and his second-oldest son, King Combs, made history. They became the first father-son duo to have number one hits at the same time on different music charts.

Combs owns a home in Alpine, New Jersey. In 2018, he bought a painting called Past Times by Kerry James Marshall for $21 million, setting a record for a painting by a living Black artist.

Beliefs and Charity Work

In 2008, Sean Combs said he doesn't follow one specific religion. He believes in doing what is right and that there is only one God.

In 1995, Combs started Daddy's House Social Programs to help young people in inner-city areas. These programs offer tutoring, life skills classes, and a summer camp. He and Jay-Z promised $1 million to help victims of Hurricane Katrina in 2005. He has also given computers and books to schools in New York.

In 1998, he received a Golden Plate Award. In 2006, the Mayor of Chicago named October 13 "Diddy Day" to honor his charity work. In 2008, Combs received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, a special honor for his achievements.

In 2014, Combs received an honorary doctorate from Howard University, where he also gave a speech to the graduating class. In 2016, he donated $1 million to Howard University to create a scholarship fund for students who need help paying tuition. In June 2024, Howard University announced they were taking back his honorary doctorate and returning his donation.

In 2022, during his BET Lifetime Achievement Award speech, Combs announced he would donate $1 million each to Howard University and Jackson State University.

Discography

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

Filmography

Film

Television

Documentary

Tours

• No Way Out Tour (1997–1998)
• Forever Tour (2000)
• The Heavyweights of Hip-Hop (with Snoop Dogg) (2007)
• Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour (2016)

Awards and nominations

Combs holds a Guinness World Record for "Most Successful Rap Producer" in 1997. This was because his produced songs were on the charts for 36 weeks in a row that year. In 2021, Combs was among the first people added to the Black Music and Entertainment Walk of Fame. In June 2022, he received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award. In September 2023, he was given the key to New York City by Mayor Eric Adams.

He also received an MTV VMA Global Icon Award in 2023.

Images for kids

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  Combs at the 2000 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

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  Combs performing in 2008 at the eTalk Festival Party

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  Combs at the 60th Primetime Emmy Awards in 2008

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  Combs at the 2013 Cannes Lions Festival

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  Combs in October 2019

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  A billboard of Sean John is in the distance on Broadway, 2011.

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  Combs at the 2012 Cannes Film Festival

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

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  Combs in May 2008

See also

In Spanish: Sean Combs para niños