The Rise and Fall of Sean Combs
Early Success & CareerSean Combs, known for his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy and most recently Diddy, is an American rapper, singer, songwriter, actor, record producer, and entrepreneur born in Harlem, New York. He graduated from Howard University in 1997 and immediately started his career as a talent director for Uptown Records. After his success in the music industry with groups such as Heavy D & the Boys, he founded his own label Bad Boy Records which produced famous artists such as Faith Evans, Notorious B.I.G., and 112. Combs’ rise to fame was catalyzed by the 1997 release of his debut album No Way Out and it was no surprise when Entrepreneurial VenturesCombs began to turn his attention to entrepreneurship in 1998 with the launch of his clothing line, Sean John. On the heels of its success, he created Blue Flame Agency, a marketing design company, and a music publishing company. He expanded to the restaurant business in 2003 with his co-owned Justin& 39;s, a southern-style Manhattan eatery. He soon had dabbled in the film and television industry, producing series such as Making the Band and I WantTo Work for Diddy. In 2008, Combs sold the rights to his Sean John clothing line to Global Brands Group Holding Limited and settled into a career as a businessman and producer.Legal Troubles and DeclineCombs experienced a dramatic decline in his career and reputation after several legal issues. Charges such as weapons violation and bribery landed him in an unfortunate public situation. He was even indicted in 2001 for bribing his driver in order to obtain a gun. These orders, along with a kidnapping and assault charge, were eventually dropped, but the damage to his public persona had been done. He was released from a five-year probation in 2003.Recent ComebackCombs has since made an attempted comeback as a hip hop artist with the release of several singles including “Last Night” and “Finna Get Loose”. He has now reverted to his original stage name of P. Diddy, a sign of his return to the limelight. Although his career has recently slowed, Combs continues to take part in several philanthropic causes, including his own youth-empowerment nonprofit, Daddy's House Social Programs. He has also earned major success in the fashion industry with stylish apparel that bears his name. Over the years, Combs has gone from rap artist to mogual, leaving his fans with a unique legacy that will last for years to come.