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 -- “Can’t stop… won’t stop. He’s given us The Notorious B.I.G. (R.I.P.), The LOX, and Ma$e. He’s resurrected the careers of 8Ball & MJG and New Edition and has introduced the consumer world to Yung Joc and Danity Kane.
The self-proclaimed “boss of all bosses” has had a storied career. Filled with up’s and down’s – no need to rehash. We all know about the J. Lo breakup, Christopher Wallace’s passing, and Ma$e’s 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 he’s “expecting”.
HHDX: There is a lot of anticipation for the album Press Play. Word is that it’ll be your last album. Why hang up the mic when you have the public in the palm of your hand?
Diddy: I really don’t think that it’s any type of big announcement. I just wanted to be able to have the ability to do so if I chose it to be. I’m 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 isn’t 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: You’ve always been the guy that people idolize. From doing movies to owning your own clothing line and having a successful men’s cologne, you’ve 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. That’s 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 one’s really done that. You see… the beauty about the Internet is that I’ve 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 we’ve 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 don’t like.
HHDX: On one of those episodes of Diddy TV, you recently announced that you’re going to have twins. So, let me say congratulations to that. Even though I know you’re not going to give me the sex, hypothetically – what would you do if you had twin girls?
Diddy: I’ll tell you. They’re supposed to be girls. But I guess I’m the type of person who can’t believe it until I see it. That’s what the doctor is saying. I have nothing but boys, so I have no idea about what it’s going to be like it. I really want to answer the question, but I really don’t know. If you’ve never had girls, you never want to imagine what it’s like. I’m going to definitely be loving and protective. I don’t want to be unrealistic. I want to be my children’s friend, but I want to be a stern father, you know?! I want to man the fuck up and make sure that they’re not being disrespected. I just have to pray to God that my daughter’s 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 you’re 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 “ruler’s back”. You’ve 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! It’s his turn to bat. His shit is crazy. He’s the future of Bad Boy Entertainment and a name y’all should be waiting for. He’s going to be a major problem. He got a slew of tracks that are about to hit the streets. He’ll have a new track every month. I’m really proud of his work ethic. He grinds consistently and he’s 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 don’t write rhymes, you write checks”?
Diddy: I think they’ll 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 it’s my first album, again. Feels like No Way Out -- the sequel.
HHDX: Since the elections are coming up, let’s 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? It’s almost like having a loaded gun and no target don’t 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, it’s 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 that’s just a fact. I’m 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 we’ll 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 I’m 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? What’s your take as someone who has been in the business for over a decade?
Diddy: I definitely think that it’s a strange time in the game. There aren’t enough leaders and too many followers. The balance isn’t really prevalent. I just try to stay focused and bring to the table what I bring and that’s celebration. I’m not trying to talk about the same things that people are talking about right now. That’s not me. It wouldn’t sound right for me to talk about what everyone else is. But I do believe we’re 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, I’m in it for the long run. I don’t have any high expectation with sales or anything like that. I’m 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. I’m always going to be in it because I got to keep on grinding.
Diddy has blessed us with hits since his days at Uptown Records. He gave everyone a phrase to use when describing their drive -- “Can’t stop… won’t stop. He’s given us The Notorious B.I.G. (R.I.P.), The LOX, and Ma$e. He’s resurrected the careers of 8Ball & MJG and New Edition and has introduced the consumer world to Yung Joc and Danity Kane.
The self-proclaimed “boss of all bosses” has had a storied career. Filled with up’s and down’s – no need to rehash. We all know about the J. Lo breakup, Christopher Wallace’s passing, and Ma$e’s 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 he’s “expecting”.
HHDX: There is a lot of anticipation for the album Press Play. Word is that it’ll be your last album. Why hang up the mic when you have the public in the palm of your hand?
Diddy: I really don’t think that it’s any type of big announcement. I just wanted to be able to have the ability to do so if I chose it to be. I’m 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 isn’t 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: You’ve always been the guy that people idolize. From doing movies to owning your own clothing line and having a successful men’s cologne, you’ve 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. That’s 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 one’s really done that. You see… the beauty about the Internet is that I’ve 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 we’ve 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 don’t like.
HHDX: On one of those episodes of Diddy TV, you recently announced that you’re going to have twins. So, let me say congratulations to that. Even though I know you’re not going to give me the sex, hypothetically – what would you do if you had twin girls?
Diddy: I’ll tell you. They’re supposed to be girls. But I guess I’m the type of person who can’t believe it until I see it. That’s what the doctor is saying. I have nothing but boys, so I have no idea about what it’s going to be like it. I really want to answer the question, but I really don’t know. If you’ve never had girls, you never want to imagine what it’s like. I’m going to definitely be loving and protective. I don’t want to be unrealistic. I want to be my children’s friend, but I want to be a stern father, you know?! I want to man the fuck up and make sure that they’re not being disrespected. I just have to pray to God that my daughter’s 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 you’re 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 “ruler’s back”. You’ve 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! It’s his turn to bat. His shit is crazy. He’s the future of Bad Boy Entertainment and a name y’all should be waiting for. He’s going to be a major problem. He got a slew of tracks that are about to hit the streets. He’ll have a new track every month. I’m really proud of his work ethic. He grinds consistently and he’s 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 don’t write rhymes, you write checks”?
Diddy: I think they’ll 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 it’s my first album, again. Feels like No Way Out -- the sequel.
HHDX: Since the elections are coming up, let’s 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? It’s almost like having a loaded gun and no target don’t 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, it’s 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 that’s just a fact. I’m 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 we’ll 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 I’m 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? What’s your take as someone who has been in the business for over a decade?
Diddy: I definitely think that it’s a strange time in the game. There aren’t enough leaders and too many followers. The balance isn’t really prevalent. I just try to stay focused and bring to the table what I bring and that’s celebration. I’m not trying to talk about the same things that people are talking about right now. That’s not me. It wouldn’t sound right for me to talk about what everyone else is. But I do believe we’re 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, I’m in it for the long run. I don’t have any high expectation with sales or anything like that. I’m 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. I’m always going to be in it because I got to keep on grinding.
