Diddy: The End Of The Line?

You will never be able to keep up with Sean Diddy Combs.

Diddy has blessed us with hits since his days at Uptown Records. He gave everyone a phrase to use when describing their drive -- Cant stop wont stop. Hes given us The Notorious B.I.G. (R.I.P.), The LOX, and Ma$e. Hes resurrected the careers of 8Ball & MJG and New Edition and has introduced the consumer world to Yung Joc and Danity Kane.

The self-proclaimed boss of all bosses has had a storied career. Filled with ups and downs no need to rehash. We all know about the J. Lo breakup, Christopher Wallaces passing, and Ma$es retirement. Although some may question his credits, the fact remains that Combs is a legend and is a direct footnote in Hip-Hop history book.

On October 17th, Diddy will release his fourth studio album of original material. But will this be his last?! The CEO of CEOs discusses retirement talk, Vote or Die, and gives HHDX an exclusive look at what hes expecting.

HHDX: There is a lot of anticipation for the album Press Play. Word is that itll be your last album. Why hang up the mic when you have the public in the palm of your hand?

Diddy: I really dont think that its any type of big announcement. I just wanted to be able to have the ability to do so if I chose it to be. Im not making that decision, just yet. Right now, the focus is about the album coming out and making sure I give the fans something to appreciate. I want them to be able to know that this album is genuine and I want them to know that I mean it. My focus isnt on stopping. I came into the game not wanting to stop, for the littlest thing. I have a whole marathon in front of me.

HHDX: Youve always been the guy that people idolize. From doing movies to owning your own clothing line and having a successful mens cologne, youve been an ultimate hustler. Since you are retiring from being an artist, what other ventures will you be getting into? Will you strike out and try to help school young entrepreneurs on the ways of the business world?

Diddy: Yeah, we have employees present in all of the businesses. Thats what we do here at Bad Boy -- help out budding, young entrepreneurs. I want to be able to help out the culture and move the needle of this culture forward into the future. But right now, I had to make a decision as to whether I should concentrate on doing music or focus on building up a business. Right now, I want to focus on this album, Press Play -- because music is my love.

HHDX: You are really utilizing the Internet with both a MySpace page and your exploits on YouTube. That gives the fans a lot of access into your personal life has anyone overstepped their boundaries with a request of your time or tried to solicit you with their demo?

Diddy: Nah no ones really done that. You see the beauty about the Internet is that Ive embraced the medium with this album. But as I progressed into making the album, it grew into something more. I am a fan of the Internet and what it has to offer. And I am excited about the outcome. It started out as something that I wanted to do as a part of my marketing plan. But I have direct content that it is able to be access through the MySpace page and it is for the fans. They get inspired and learn from each other. What weve been doing is organic and it has turned out to be something really big and I am proud of what these ventures have meant for, not just me, but for the fans themselves. It allows me to really get in touch with the public. It gives me the ability to see what makes them tick and what they do and dont like.

HHDX: On one of those episodes of Diddy TV, you recently announced that youre going to have twins. So, let me say congratulations to that. Even though I know youre not going to give me the sex, hypothetically what would you do if you had twin girls?

Diddy: Ill tell you. Theyre supposed to be girls. But I guess Im the type of person who cant believe it until I see it. Thats what the doctor is saying. I have nothing but boys, so I have no idea about what its going to be like it. I really want to answer the question, but I really dont know. If youve never had girls, you never want to imagine what its like. Im going to definitely be loving and protective. I dont want to be unrealistic. I want to be my childrens friend, but I want to be a stern father, you know?! I want to man the fuck up and make sure that theyre not being disrespected. I just have to pray to God that my daughters meet a man like me [laughs].

HHDX: Yeah, well in your younger days, you were known as quite the player and in that clip it seems that youre making a strong statement of settling down. Are there any marriage plans in the works for yourself and Kim?

Diddy: You know not right this second, man. My focus is on the album.

HHDX: The magazines are voting you in as a returning King or the rulers back. Youve had some major successes with Danity Kane and Yung Joc, just to name a few. But bubbling under the surface is this guy, Aasim. Can you talk about him?

Diddy: [Sounding excited] Aasim is a beast and they will be talking about him! Its his turn to bat. His shit is crazy. Hes the future of Bad Boy Entertainment and a name yall should be waiting for. Hes going to be a major problem. He got a slew of tracks that are about to hit the streets. Hell have a new track every month. Im really proud of his work ethic. He grinds consistently and hes just that guy!

HHDX: Because you have so many high caliber artists behind the scenes writing for you on Press Play, how well do you think people will respond again knowing that you dont write rhymes, you write checks?

Diddy: I think theyll respond more because I wrote more on this album. Most of the people that I worked with knew that I had a lot of pride and I stepped it up and branched out with this joint. I Am was a joint that I am really proud of. We Gon Make It The Future they all are something that I felt close to. I feel like I am heavily involved in this album. I am a proud of Press Play and I hope that the fans really appreciate the effort that has gone into this album. I feel like its my first album, again. Feels like No Way Out -- the sequel.

HHDX: Since the elections are coming up, lets touch upon the Vote or Die campaign that you had done during the 2004 Presidential Elections. Does a part of you think that it was at all irresponsible to have a statement as big as Vote or Die without any education on the candidates and what they stood for? Its almost like having a loaded gun and no target dont you think? What do you think was the message that you sent out to all the people who were trying to vote?

Diddy: Honestly, I feel that Vote or Die was a huge success. I am really proud of the people who stepped up and voted during the elections. Sometimes, its about having the power of to express your voice. There are a lot people that died, in order for you and I to go to the polls to vote. And thats just a fact. Im not just saying that I am responsible for people to go out there and vote, that is a choice that everyone has to make on their own. But well be back with Vote or Die, as long as it gets you engaged, and consciously thinking about the choices that you make during that election. Personally, as long as it gets you concerned about your fate in this nation, then Im happy about it. And you got to admit a t-shirt and a slogan got people talking and moving in unified direction.

HHDX: How do you feel about the state of Hip Hop today? Some say that it is being reduced to a modern day minstrel show while others think that business is thriving? Whats your take as someone who has been in the business for over a decade?

Diddy: I definitely think that its a strange time in the game. There arent enough leaders and too many followers. The balance isnt really prevalent. I just try to stay focused and bring to the table what I bring and thats celebration. Im not trying to talk about the same things that people are talking about right now. Thats not me. It wouldnt sound right for me to talk about what everyone else is. But I do believe were on the verge of reaching a peak in the game. Hopefully, Hip-Hop will keep growing and continue to be a dominant force around the world. As far as myself, Im in it for the long run. I dont have any high expectation with sales or anything like that. Im not putting that pressure on myself anymore. Whatever God wants me to do then I will do it. You know, we all want to have the success on Billboard and I really used to put myself through it for that achievement. But this album is coming from a place of love. I have done this for a long time and I will be here continuing what I do. Im always going to be in it because I got to keep on grinding.