Sean Combs
Born 1969 · Age 56
American rapper, record producer, entrepreneur and founder of Bad Boy Records; known as Puff Daddy / P. Diddy / Diddy / Love; prominent music, fashion and media figure with extensive business ventures and later high‑profile legal cases.
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Life & Career Timeline
Father Melvin Combs shot dead
Father Melvin Earl Combs was shot and killed when Sean was two (reported in sources as when Sean was around two); significant early trauma shaping his upbringing.
Family moved to Mount Vernon, New York
Family relocated to suburban Mount Vernon (reported in some sources as occurring about nine years after birth).
High-school football division title
Played football at Mount Saint Michael Academy; team won a division title in 1986.
Graduated Mount Saint Michael Academy
Graduated from an all-boys Catholic prep school in the Bronx.
Enrolled at Howard University (business major)
Studied business administration at Howard University; ran parties and an airport shuttle service while attending.
Left Howard University after two years
Dropped out after sophomore year to pursue music industry opportunities.
Internship at Uptown Records
Began as an intern at Uptown Records in New York; later became talent director and worked under Andre Harrell.
CCNY charity basketball stampede
Combs co‑promoted a celebrity basketball game/AIDS fundraiser; oversold event led to a stampede in which nine people died — a major early controversy.
Executive producer credit on Mary J. Blige's debut
Served as an executive producer on Mary J. Blige's 'What's the 411?', helping establish his production credentials.
Fired from Uptown; founded Bad Boy Records
After being fired from Uptown, Combs launched Bad Boy Records and entered a joint venture with Arista Records.
Signed Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.) to Bad Boy
Brought Biggie and other Uptown artists to Bad Boy; began work that would make Bad Boy a major label.
Ready to Die released (Notorious B.I.G.)
Bad Boy's first major project, Biggie's debut album, reached mainstream acclaim and helped establish Bad Boy's profile.
Produced songs on TLC's CrazySexyCool
Worked on TLC's smash album (1994–1995), boosting his reputation as a hitmaker and remixer.
First commercial vocal work as rapper; first single
Released debut single 'Can't Nobody Hold Me Down' (as Puff Daddy); it peaked at #1 and spent many weeks on charts.
'I'll Be Missing You' debuts at #1 and tops charts
Tribute to the Notorious B.I.G. debuted at #1 and stayed atop the Hot 100 for 11 weeks; landmark pop-rap moment.
Notorious B.I.G. murdered
Christopher Wallace (Notorious B.I.G.), a central Bad Boy artist and close associate, was killed in Los Angeles; event shaped Combs' career and music.
Released debut album No Way Out
No Way Out (credited to Puff Daddy & the Family) debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200, selling 561,000 copies in its first week.
Won 1998 Grammys for No Way Out and 'I'll Be Missing You'
No Way Out won Best Rap Album; 'I'll Be Missing You' won Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
Launched Sean John clothing line
Entered fashion industry with Sean John apparel brand.
Assault dispute with Steve Stoute; sued and settled
After the 'Hate Me Now' video controversy, Combs was charged and later settled with Steve Stoute for $500,000; pleaded guilty to harassment and did anger-management.
Released second album Forever
Forever (as Puff Daddy) released August 24, 1999; peaked at #2 on Billboard 200.
Club New York shooting; arrested on weapons charges
Shooting at Club New York; Combs (and Shyne) faced weapons charges and alleged bribery of his driver; widely publicized legal case began.
No Way Out certified septuple platinum
RIAA certified No Way Out 7× platinum for sales of over 7 million copies in the U.S.
Changed stage name to 'P. Diddy'
Formally altered his stage name from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy.
Acquitted in 1999 nightclub shooting trial
After a high-profile trial, Combs was found not guilty of the major charges in March 2001.
Bad Boy ends Arista joint venture; gains full control
Terminated distribution deal with Arista, regaining full control of Bad Boy Records and its catalog.
Released The Saga Continues...
Third studio album (as P. Diddy) released July 10, 2001; peaked at #2 and later certified Platinum.
Became executive producer of Making the Band
Created and executive produced MTV reality series 'Making the Band' (2002–2009), launching acts like Danity Kane and Day26.
Ronald Burkle invested in Sean John ($100M)
California investor Ronald Burkle invested $100 million into Sean John (reported 2003), a major capital infusion for the brand.
Ran the New York City Marathon; raised $2M for schools
Completed the NYC Marathon in 4 hours 18 minutes and raised $2 million for New York City public schools.
CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year; Broadway role
Won CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year for Sean John (2004) and made Broadway debut in A Raisin in the Sun (2004).
Performed at Super Bowl XXXVIII halftime show
Performed during the high‑profile Super Bowl halftime (shared stage with other major artists).
Sold half of Bad Boy to Warner Music Group
Announced sale of a 50% stake in his record company to Warner Music Group, a major industry transaction (terms not fully public).
Changed stage name to 'Diddy'
Dropped the 'P.' and adopted the stage name Diddy.
Released Press Play (debuted #1)
Fourth solo studio album Press Play debuted at #1 on the Billboard 200 with first-week sales ~173,009 copies; later certified Gold.
Partnered to develop Cîroc vodka (50% profit share)
Began long-term brand ambassadorship/partnership with Cîroc (reported profit-sharing arrangement); significantly increased beverage-industry earnings.
Received star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
Honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—the first male rapper to receive one.
Acquired Enyce clothing line for $20M
Bought Enyce from Liz Claiborne for $20 million, expanding apparel holdings.
Launched 'I Am King' fragrance
Expanded Sean John into fragrances with 'I Am King' (November 2008).
Formed Diddy – Dirty Money; released Last Train to Paris
Created trio Diddy – Dirty Money with Dawn Richard and Kalenna Harper; released collaborative album Last Train to Paris (Dec 13, 2010).
Performed 'Coming Home' on American Idol
Diddy and Dirty Money performed live on American Idol, promoting Last Train to Paris.
Co‑founded Revolt TV
Launched Revolt, a music-oriented digital television network and production company (began broadcasting 2014).
Topped Forbes hip-hop rich list (2014)
Ranked #1 on Forbes' annual hip‑hop rich list in 2014, reflecting substantial business income and equity holdings.
Released 11:11 with Guy Gerber (free download)
Collaborative album/EP 11:11 with Israeli producer Guy Gerber released as free download (July 2014).
Released single 'Finna Get Loose' with Pharrell
Collaborative single featuring Pharrell Williams released June 29, 2015.
Released mixtape MMM (Money Making Mitch)
Mixtape MMM released as a free 12-track album (released Nov 4, 2015) under the Puff Daddy name.
Announced retirement plans (later reversed) and launched Bad Boy 20th anniversary tour
Announced plans to retire after album and tour (April 2016), then launched Bad Boy 20th anniversary tour May 20, 2016.
Donated $1M to Howard University; honorary doctorate (2014)
Donated $1,000,000 to Howard University in 2016 to establish a scholarship; previously received an honorary doctorate in 2014.
Topped Forbes list of top-earning entertainers (2017)
Forbes estimated he earned $130 million for the year ending May 2017; topped Forbes' entertainers list.
Death of long-term partner Kim Porter
Kim Porter, mother of several of Combs' children and longtime partner (1994–2007), died in November 2018 of pneumonia.
Invested in PlayVS esports startup
Became an investor in PlayVS, supporting infrastructure for high‑school competitive gaming in the U.S.
Executive-produced Burna Boy's Twice as Tall
Served as executive producer on Nigerian artist Burna Boy's album Twice as Tall (released Aug 14, 2020).
Launched Love Records with Motown distribution; signed Jozzy
Announced startup of Love Records under a Motown deal; inaugural signee Jozzy signed in May 2022.
Released single 'Gotta Move On' (charted #79)
Single featuring Bryson Tiller reached #79 on the Billboard Hot 100; marked his first Hot 100 entry since 2010.
Resigned as chair of Revolt amid lawsuits
Stepped down as Revolt TV chairman in Nov 2023 amid multiple civil allegations and suits.
Cîroc ambassadorship ended (partnership 2007–2023)
Longstanding Cîroc brand relationship (begun 2007) ended in 2023 after Diageo acquisition/changes.
Announced lead single 'Another One of Me' with major collaborators
Lead single featured The Weeknd, French Montana and 21 Savage; single peaked at #87 on the Hot 100.
Released The Love Album: Off the Grid (independent)
Released his fifth studio album independently on Sept 15, 2023; album peaked at #19 on Billboard 200.
Cassie Ventura files federal lawsuit alleging rape and abuse
Cassie sued Combs (Nov 16, 2023) alleging rape, sex trafficking, and abuse; settlement reached the following day.
DHS raids multiple properties tied to Combs
Department of Homeland Security agents executed searches of Combs' homes in Los Angeles and Miami as part of a federal inquiry.
CNN airs surveillance video of assault on Cassie
Security footage released showing Combs physically assaulting Cassie in 2016; prompted public apology and intensified scrutiny.
Howard University revokes honorary doctorate and returns $1M donation
Howard rescinded his 2014 honorary doctorate, returned the $1M donation, and terminated the scholarship pledge amid allegations.
Arrested and indicted on federal charges
Arrested in Manhattan and indicted in the Southern District of New York on charges including racketeering, sex trafficking, and transportation to engage in prostitution (indictment unsealed Sept 17).
Denied bail (third denial)
Judge denied bail for a third time, leaving Combs in federal custody pending trial.
Reported net worth estimates amid legal fallout
Public sources reported widely varying net worth estimates in 2024–2025 (e.g., Wikipedia cited ~$1B in 2022; Biography.com / Celebrity Net Worth later reported ~$400M in mid‑2025).
Documentaries and media coverage of life and legal issues released
Peacock released documentary 'Diddy: The Making of a Bad Boy' and Investigation Discovery released 'Fall of Diddy' docuseries; Combs' team filed a defamation suit Feb 12, 2025 against media entities.
Trial begins (jury selection)
Trial in the Southern District of New York began with jury selection on May 5, 2025; opening statements and testimony began May 12.
Denied bail after conviction; remanded to custody
Following the verdict, Combs was denied bail and ordered to remain in custody pending sentencing (sentencing set for Oct 3, 2025).
Found guilty on 2 counts of transportation to engage in prostitution
Jury returned a split verdict July 2, 2025: guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution; acquitted on racketeering and sex trafficking charges.
Reported detained at Metropolitan Detention Center, Brooklyn
Following conviction, Combs was reported held at MDC Brooklyn without bond pending sentencing (as of Aug 2025 updates).
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