Who Is P. Diddy?
His full name is Sean John Combs, and he is 54. He was born on November 4, 1969, in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, USA. He is known primarily by nicknames such as Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Love.
He began his career in the music industry at Uptown Records, where he helped launch the careers of artists like Mary J. Blige and Jodeci. He later founded his own record label, Bad Boy Records, in 1993, where he launched major acts such as The Notorious B.I.G., Mase, and 112.
Beyond the glamorous lifestyle showcased on TV and blogs, there’s a side of Diddy that’s just as surprising as his recent legal troubles and scandals. While his childhood struggles in Harlem and family history are well-known, there’s much more to Diddy than what meets the eye.
1. P. Diddy’s Father Died in a Drug Deal Gone Wrong When He Was Still a Baby
Melvin Combs was only 33 years old when he was fatally shot in 1972 after being mistaken for a police informant. In a past interview, Diddy revealed that his father was labeled a “snitch” and was killed over a $10,000 drug deal.
Single mother Janice Combs raised her children, Sean and Keisha, after her husband Melvin’s death. Until he became an adult, Sean believed his father had died in a car accident. It was during a ceremony where he received an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, Howard University, that his mother revealed the truth to him.
2. A Detective Claims That Diddy Organized Tupac’s Murder
Following the death of Christopher “Notorious B.I.G” Wallace in 1997, Diddy lost not only his best friend but also the flagship artist of Bad Boy Records. However, former LAPD officer Greg Kading asserts that the responsibility for both Biggie’s and Tupac Shakur’s deaths can be traced back to Diddy. Kading, who spent three years investigating the two cases, alleges that Diddy paid members of the Crips gang $1 million to carry out Tupac’s murder in 1996.
3. P. Diddy Parties Began at Howard University
Before Diddy began hosting extravagant “Diddy parties” for his celebrity friends, he started throwing parties at Howard University. Although he did not graduate from this historically Black college, these college parties helped him gain significant popularity among his peers. Diddy left college to intern at Uptown Records and never returned to complete his studies. In 2014, he was awarded an honorary doctorate in Humanities for his contributions to music, entrepreneurship, and charitable work.
A new TMZ documentary claims that “no one was safe” at Diddy parties, which have recently become a trending topic on social media. His friends refer to these gatherings as “Freak Offs,” which allegedly involve drugs, spiked drinks, and coerced sexual acts.
However, following his recent arrest, the university revoked the honorary doctorate and refunded his $1 million donation to the institution.
4. P. Diddy Changes His Name So Frequently
As a kid, he was known as Puffy, but in the 1990s, he changed his name to “Puff Daddy.” In 2005, he rebranded himself as “P. Diddy,” with the “P” still representing “Puffy.” His name changes reflect his evolving identity in the music industry and his desire to reinvent himself.
In 2008, he adopted the name Sean John, and in 2011, he switched to “Swag.” He returned to “Puff Daddy” in 2014 and later introduced the name “Brother Love” in 2017. Ultimately, he settled back on “P. Diddy“.
Puffy began as a childhood nickname for Love, stemming from his tendency to “huff and puff” when he got angry, and the name quickly caught on. He even used it for his earliest musical releases.
In the early ’90s, he was credited as both Puffy and Puff Daddy on different albums. According to an official timeline he posted on Instagram in May 2021, he considers 1995 to be the Puffy era and 1996 to mark the start of the Puff Daddy era.
After releasing No Way Out in 1997 and Forever in 1999 under the name Puff Daddy, he felt it was time for a change. In March 2001, he announced, “No more Puff Daddy — the first week in June we’re gonna have a name change ceremony,” during an interview with MTV. “I’m not doing it as seriously as Prince, but I just want something fresh … I’m rockin’ with P. Diddy now — my man Biggie gave me that name.”
After becoming P. Diddy, he realized that fans were not chanting his name, which prompted him to make it easier for them. In a 2005 interview on Today, he explained, “I felt the ‘P’ was getting in between me and my fans. We had to simplify it. During concerts, half the crowd would say ‘P. Diddy’ while the other half chanted ‘Diddy.’ Now everyone can just chant ‘Diddy.’”
5. P. Diddy Had a Beef with Kendrick Lamar
The beef between P. Diddy and Kendrick Lamar arose in 2013 when Kendrick Lamar made a bold statement in his verse on Big Sean’s track “Control,” where he called himself the “King of New York” and mentioned several other rappers, including Diddy. In response to Kendrick’s claim, Diddy reacted on social media, sharing a meme that poked fun at the situation.
The tension escalated when Diddy and Kendrick met at a party. Reports suggest that Diddy tried to pour a drink on Kendrick, signaling that the beef was more than just playful banter. However, J. Cole intervened, stepping in to calm things down before the situation could escalate further.
6. He Was Sued for Sexual Harassment and Rape
In a major lawsuit, Diddy faced serious allegations of rape, physical abuse, and sex trafficking from his ex-girlfriend, R&B singer Cassie Ventura. While the two have since reached an agreement, the specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed. In a joint statement, they indicated that Ventura chose to resolve the matter amicably on terms that allowed her some level of control.
Ventura claimed that during their 10-year relationship, which began when she was 19 and Diddy was 37, she was subjected to physical abuse on multiple occasions. She described being trapped in a “cycle of abuse and violence,” alleging that Diddy introduced her to a “fast-paced and drug-fueled lifestyle” shortly after signing with his label in 2005. Among the shocking claims, Ventura alleged that Diddy once vandalized Kid Cudi’s car upon discovering the rapper’s romantic interest in her, a claim Kid Cudi later confirmed.
In her lawsuit, Ventura accused Diddy of providing her with drugs and alcohol, leading to dangerous addictions that dominated her life. She expressed her desire to share her story, stating, “After years in silence and darkness, I am finally ready to tell my story and to speak up on behalf of myself and for the benefit of other women who face violence and abuse in their relationships.” She also alleged that she was raped at her home in 2018 when Diddy forced his way in.
Diddy has categorically denied all allegations, calling them offensive and outrageous. His lawyer claimed that Ventura’s initial demand for $30 million was an attempt at extortion and labeled the lawsuit as filled with “baseless and outrageous lies.”
The settlement was announced by attorney Douglas Wigdor, who represented Ventura, praising her bravery in coming forward. Following the news, singer Kesha modified the lyrics of her song “Tik Tok” during a performance, replacing a reference to P. Diddy with a line about waking up feeling like herself, signaling a shift in public sentiment surrounding the allegations.
P. Diddy former personal chef filed a lawsuit against him for sexual harassment. The chef alleged that her boss frequently compelled her to serve him meals while he engaged in sexual activities with others and walked around naked in front of her on multiple occasions.
After several complaints, she was ultimately fired, and the case seemingly disappeared from public view.
7. P. Diddy and the East Coast-West Coast Rivalry
The East Coast-West Coast rivalry in hip-hop was a major cultural conflict during the 1990s, characterized by a fierce competition between artists and record labels from the two coasts. Diddy, as the CEO of Bad Boy Records, represented the East Coast, particularly through his association with artists like Notorious B.I.G.
Suge Knight, the head of Death Row Records, was a prominent figure for the West Coast, with Tupac Shakur as one of his most famous artists. The rivalry was fueled by personal animosities, media sensationalism, and differing regional identities within hip-hop. Tensions escalated significantly following the release of songs and diss tracks that took shots at rival artists.
Tragically, the rivalry culminated in violence, including shootings and murders. Tupac was killed in a drive-by shooting in Las Vegas in September 1996, while Biggie was shot in Los Angeles in March 1997. Both murders remain officially unsolved, though numerous conspiracy theories and allegations have surfaced over the years.
While Diddy has consistently denied involvement in the shootings, various reports and speculation have linked him indirectly to the events surrounding the murders. Some sources suggest that his rivalry with Suge Knight contributed to the hostile atmosphere during that period. The East Coast-West Coast feud ultimately left a lasting impact on hip-hop culture and is often cited as a cautionary tale about the dangers of conflict and rivalry in the music industry.
8. Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Has 7 Children
Diddy raised Quincy Brown, the son of his late ex-girlfriend Kim Porter and R&B singer Al B. Sure!, as part of his family, despite not being his biological father. This arrangement highlights the often complicated nature of Diddy’s relationships, as he navigates fatherhood without the traditional structure many families have.
With Kim Porter, Diddy shares three children: Christian Combs and twin daughters D’Lila Star Combs and Jessie James Combs. Their relationship was marked by ups and downs, and the children have witnessed their father’s high-profile lifestyle, which has included numerous controversies and public scrutiny.
In addition to his children with Porter, Diddy has a son, Justin Combs, with Misa Hylton-Brim, and a daughter, Chance Combs, with Sarah Chapman. His youngest child, Love Sean Combs, was born to Dana Tran. These relationships often lack the stability seen in typical family structures, raising questions about his commitment to being an active, responsible father.
9. P. Diddy Arrested for Weapons Violations Following Club Shooting With Jennifer Lopez
In 1999, P. Diddy was involved in a significant legal scandal following a shooting incident at Club New York, where he was accompanied by his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, and Bad Boy artist Shyne. The trouble began when Diddy reportedly disrespected another patron, leading to a violent confrontation that resulted in gunfire, injuring three people present at the club.
After the chaos unfolded, Lopez and Combs fled the scene but were later arrested. It was alleged that Combs attempted to bribe a driver to take responsibility for a gun found at the scene. Ultimately, Shyne was sentenced to nine years in prison, publicly claiming that Diddy had betrayed him. While Combs was acquitted of the criminal charges, the incident had lasting repercussions, including civil lawsuits that lingered until 2011.
10. P.Diddy’s Net Worth: $800 million
P. Diddy, an American rapper, singer, record producer, entrepreneur, and designer, has a net worth of around $800 million. However, other sources suggest that the figure could be between $600 million and $1 billion.
Diddy became a global icon through his record label, Bad Boy Entertainment, where he played a pivotal role in launching and shaping the careers of numerous artists, including The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Faith Evans. He also produced tracks for big names like Usher, Lil’ Kim, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, and TLC, among others. In the late ’90s, he released his first of several successful rap albums and earned his first Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. Throughout the ’90s and early 2000s, Diddy consistently released albums and garnered numerous awards.
Despite the popularity of his music, he faced criticism from some hip-hop artists for his frequent use of samples and collaborations with guest performers. While his tracks dominated the airwaves, his personal life was equally eventful, marked by various altercations, including a high-profile shootout at a club, as well as relationships with several famous women, notably Jennifer Lopez. In addition to his music career, Diddy ventured into fashion with multiple successful clothing lines, launched two reality shows, created a thriving liquor brand, established a media company, and even pursued a moderately successful acting career.