Sean John Combs, perhaps better known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy and Diddy, is a successful producer, rapper, clothing designer and entrepreneur. He got his start as a promoter while attending Howard University and his reputation landed him an internship at Uptown Records. Initially he travelled back and forth between Washington D.C. for classes and New York for work, but eventually he left school to focus on his career.
In 1993 Combs established his own label, Bad Boy Records, and had instance success with The Notorious B.I.G.'s first release. This allowed him to sign more artists to his label and produce for stars including Mary J. Blige, Usher, TLC, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men and Aretha Franklin. In 1998 Combs released his first album as Puff Daddy and it won the Grammy for Best Rap Album. His remake of "I'll Be Missing You," dedicated to his friend B.I.G, also won that year's Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group.
Combs expanded his portfolio when he opened an upscale restaurant in New York in 1997. The restaurant was named Justin's, after his son, and a second restaurant was opened in Atlanta. In 1998 he
showed himself to be a true businessman when he started his own clothing line, Sean John. The line won the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004. He has also had a successful reality show on MTV, "Making the Band," and in August 2008 will premiere "I Want to Work for Diddy" on VH1.
His interests extend far beyond the business and music worlds, and he has shown himself to be very active politically. He raised $2 million for New York's educational system when he ran the New York City Marathon in 2003. He also headed the campaign "Vote or Die," which urged young people to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Early in his career, he established Daddy's House Social Programs with a mission to create educational programs and initiatives for inner-city youth. Some of the programs created are Daddy's House Weekend Boys and Girls Club, which provides academic tutoring and life skills; Daddy's House on Wall Street, which teaches the fundamentals of the stock market and practical financial skills; Daddy's House Sleep Away Camps, which provide an escape for nearly 200 kids every summer.
Combs expanded his portfolio when he opened an upscale restaurant in New York in 1997. The restaurant was named Justin's, after his son, and a second restaurant was opened in Atlanta. In 1998 he
showed himself to be a true businessman when he started his own clothing line, Sean John. The line won the Council of Fashion Designers of America Award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004. He has also had a successful reality show on MTV, "Making the Band," and in August 2008 will premiere "I Want to Work for Diddy" on VH1.
His interests extend far beyond the business and music worlds, and he has shown himself to be very active politically. He raised $2 million for New York's educational system when he ran the New York City Marathon in 2003. He also headed the campaign "Vote or Die," which urged young people to vote in the 2004 presidential election. Early in his career, he established Daddy's House Social Programs with a mission to create educational programs and initiatives for inner-city youth. Some of the programs created are Daddy's House Weekend Boys and Girls Club, which provides academic tutoring and life skills; Daddy's House on Wall Street, which teaches the fundamentals of the stock market and practical financial skills; Daddy's House Sleep Away Camps, which provide an escape for nearly 200 kids every summer.
