Sean “Diddy” Combs — born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York — is an American rapper, producer, and businessman. He is best known for creating Bad Boy Records and for hit songs that helped shape 1990s hip-hop.
Diddy’s journey from Harlem to worldwide fame shows both big success and serious challenges. His story is about talent, business, and how fame can bring both power and problems.
Fast Facts About Diddy
| Bio/Wiki | Information |
| Full Name | Sean John Combs |
| Stage Names | Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, Love/Brother Love |
| Date of Birth | November 4, 1969 |
| Age | 55 years old |
| Birthplace | Harlem, New York |
| Height | 5’10” (approximately) |
| Profession | Rapper, Producer, Businessman, Entrepreneur |
| Number of Children | 7 (Quincy, Justin, Christian, D’Lila, Jessie, Chance, Love) |
| Net Worth | $400 million – $1 billion |
| Founded | Bad Boy Records (1993) |
| Major Label Artists | The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, Usher, Faith Evans |
| Debut Album | No Way Out (1997) – 7 million copies sold |
| Hit Single | “I’ll Be Missing You” (11 weeks at #1) |
P. Diddy Early Life and Family Background
Combs grew up in Harlem with his mother, Janice Combs, a model and teacher’s assistant. His father, Melvin Earl Combs, was shot and killed when Sean was two years old. His mother raised him alone in poverty on the streets of New York.
When Combs attended Howard University, he discovered the truth about his father’s death, as reported by TheWrap. He read in the Amsterdam News that his father had been murdered in a drug deal. This discovery shaped how he viewed success and the streets.
Combs went to Mount Saint Michael Academy, a Catholic all-boys school, where he played football. He grew up between Mount Vernon and Harlem, staying with his grandmother. These early years helped him learn hard work and focus, which shaped his career.
Rise in the Music Industry
In 1990, Combs started as an intern at Uptown Records. He learned production and artist development from industry leaders. He was fired from the label in 1993, but this became his breakthrough moment.
After leaving Uptown, Combs founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, according to Variety. He signed The Notorious B.I.G., a young rapper from Brooklyn with serious talent. Bad Boy quickly became one of the hottest labels in hip-hop.
Combs signed other major artists including Mary J. Blige, Usher, and Faith Evans. The label entered a joint venture with Arista Records for distribution. By the mid-1990s, Bad Boy Records dominated the industry.
Musical Career and Chart Success
Combs dropped his debut album “No Way Out” in 1997 under the name Puff Daddy. The album sold around 7 million copies and topped the Billboard 200, as noted by Billboard. “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., stayed at number one for 11 weeks straight.
He won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and became the first rapper with five US number-one singles. His second album “Forever” hit number two in 1999. Combs proved he could make hits as an artist, not just as a producer.
Over his career, he released “The Saga Continues…” (2001), “Press Play” (2006), and “Last Train to Paris” (2010) with Diddy-Dirty Money. He changed his stage name from Puff Daddy to P. Diddy in 2001, then to Diddy in 2005. In 2017, he announced he’d go by “Love” or “Brother Love.”
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P. Diddy Business Ventures Beyond Music
In 1998, Combs launched the Sean John clothing line, which earned him the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2004, as reported by GQ Magazine. California billionaire Ronald Burkle invested $100 million in the brand in 2003. The brand showed that rappers could also do well in fashion.
Combs partnered with Cîroc vodka in 2007 and made hundreds of millions from the deal before it ended in 2023. He acquired the Enyce clothing line for $20 million in 2008. He also invested in Aquahydrate, a sports drink, and PlayVS, an esports platform for high schools.
In 2013, Combs co-founded Revolt TV, a music and entertainment network. By 2017, Forbes ranked him the number one earner in hip-hop with $130 million in earnings. His wealth came from owning pieces of multiple companies across different industries.
Entertainment and Acting
Combs appeared in several films and television productions. He starred in “Monster’s Ball” (2001) with Halle Berry and Heath Ledger, “Get Him to the Greek” (2010), and “Carlito’s Way: Rise to Power” (2005). He also performed in a 2004 Broadway revival of “A Raisin in the Sun.”
He created and produced “Making the Band” for MTV (2002-2009), which launched music groups like Da Band and Danity Kane. He hosted the 2005 MTV Video Music Awards and appeared on shows like “CSI: Miami” and “Hawaii Five-0.” These roles kept him visible beyond music audiences.
Personal Life and Family
Combs has seven children with four different women. He has Justin (born 1993) with stylist Misa Hylton, Christian, D’Lila, and Jessie with model Kim Porter, and Chance (born 2006) with businesswoman Sarah Chapman.
Kim Porter passed away from pneumonia in 2018 after years of an on-and-off relationship. Combs also helped raise Quincy, Kim’s son from another relationship. His youngest child, Love, was born in 2022 with Dana Tran, a cybersecurity professional.
In October 2024, six of his children issued a joint statement supporting their father. They stated: “We stand united, supporting you every step of the way. We hold onto the truth, knowing it will prevail, and nothing will break the strength of our family.” His family has remained close through difficult times.
Diddy Height, Age, and Physical Details
Combs is currently 55 years old, born on November 4, 1969. His height has been listed at different measurements across various records. Arrest records listed him as both 5’10” and 6’0″, while his driver’s license stated 6’01”.
These varying measurements reflect how public figures’ physical details get recorded differently. His actual height appears to be around 5’10” based on various sources. These personal details are often among the first things people search about public figures.
Net Worth and Financial Status
According to People Magazine Combs’ net worth has been estimated between $400 million and over $1 billion by different sources. His 2017 earnings were estimated at $130 million, ranking him number one among entertainers. His wealth stemmed from music royalties, business ownership, and brand partnerships.
His Cîroc partnership was one of his biggest money-makers until it ended in 2023. Bad Boy Records was estimated at $500 million at its peak. His Sean John clothing line also generated significant revenue, though current earnings have been affected by recent legal developments.
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Philanthropy and Social Impact
Combs founded Daddy’s House Social Programs in 1995 to help inner-city youth with tutoring and life skills classes. In 2003, he ran the New York City Marathon and raised $2 million for NYC’s education system. He completed the race in 4 hours 18 minutes despite having a bum knee.
He pledged $1 million with Jay-Z for Hurricane Katrina victims in 2005. In 2016, he donated $1 million to Howard University for a scholarship fund. In 2022, he announced $1 million donations each to Howard University and Jackson State University.
His charitable work demonstrated commitment to education and community development. He used his wealth and platform to support others. His philanthropy represented genuine effort to help youth succeed.
P. Diddy Awards and Recognition
Combs received the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album for “No Way Out” in 1998. He won the MTV Video Music Award and BET Awards throughout his career. In 2008, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, becoming the first male rapper to earn this honor.
Time magazine named him one of the 100 Most Influential People in 2005. Forbes ranked him the top earner in hip-hop multiple times. He received the BET Lifetime Achievement Award in 2022.
Howard University gave him an honorary doctorate in 2014 when he delivered the 146th commencement speech. These honors recognized his status as a major figure in entertainment and business.
Cultural Impact and Legacy
Combs transformed hip-hop from a musical genre into a multimedia business empire. He showed that rappers could grow into business leaders in fashion, drinks, and media. His influence shaped how younger artists viewed entrepreneurship and brand building.
The “White Parties” he threw from 1998 to 2009 became legendary in pop culture. CNN described them as marking “the peak of his cultural influence.” These parties were attended by many stars, athletes, and business people.
Combs was ranked number 14 on VH1’s 50 Greatest Hip Hop Artists. His production style and sample-heavy beats defined 1990s hip-hop sound. He discovered and developed artists who became superstars, leaving a lasting mark on music history.
Legal Case and Federal Conviction
In September 2024, Combs was arrested and charged with federal crimes. His trial began on May 12, 2025, in Manhattan Federal Court. On July 2, 2025, a federal jury found him guilty on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, as reported by CNN.
He was acquitted of sex trafficking and racketeering charges. On October 3, 2025, he was sentenced to 50 months in prison with time served. He is currently incarcerated at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn.
His mother, Janice Combs, acknowledged, covered by BBC: “My son may not have been entirely truthful about certain things, such as denying he has ever gotten violent with an ex-girlfriend when the hotel’s surveillance showed otherwise.” The conviction marked a dramatic shift in his public image and career.
Business Empire Collapse
Following his arrest, Combs’ business partnerships ended and his companies faced uncertainty. Diageo terminated his Cîroc partnership, stating he was “refusing to acknowledge or honor his commitments.” Howard University revoked his honorary doctorate and returned his $1 million donation.
Bad Boy Records, once valued at $500 million, is now in limbo. His Sean John clothing line faces an uncertain future. Most major business ventures have either ended or become inactive as a result of his legal troubles.
FAQ’s About Diddy
What is Diddy’s real name?
Sean John Combs. He’s used stage names including Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, and Love.
How old is Diddy?
He’s 55 years old, born November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York.
How many children does Diddy have?
Seven children: Quincy, Justin, Christian, D’Lila, Jessie, Chance, and Love.
What is Diddy’s net worth?
As reported by People, his estimates range from $400 million to over $1 billion, though recent legal issues have likely reduced his wealth.
What happened to Diddy in 2025?
He was convicted on July 2, 2025, on two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution and sentenced to 50 months.
What are Diddy’s biggest hits?
“I’ll Be Missing You,” “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” “Mo Money Mo Problems,” and “Bump, Bump, Bump.”
Did Diddy create Bad Boy Records?
Yes, he founded it in 1993 after leaving Uptown Records, signing The Notorious B.I.G. and Mary J. Blige.
What is the Sean John clothing line?
A fashion brand launched in 1998 that won the CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year award in 2004.
Conclusion
Sean “Diddy” Combs built one of the most successful careers in hip-hop history. From music production to business ownership, he proved rappers could become major entrepreneurs. His influence on music, fashion, and pop culture remains significant.
His story also shows what can happen when someone makes big legal mistakes. A career spanning three decades can be transformed by criminal conviction. His case started talks about how people in entertainment use power and face consequences.
His legacy is mixed, showing both creativity and serious legal trouble. His impact on culture will be debated for years to come. His life shows both big success and serious mistakes.
Hi there! I’m Lara Howkins, the friendly face behind IdiomsDefine. For 11 years, I’ve been telling biographies and life stories of famous people in ways that everyone can understand. I love finding the real person behind the fame and sharing those stories with you.
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