Sean John Combs, better known by his stage name Diddy (formerly Puff Daddy and P. Diddy), is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York. He started his career in the music industry as a talent director at Uptown Records before founding Bad Boy Records in 1993, where he played a significant role in discovering and developing major artists like The Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher. His debut album "No Way Out" reached number one on the Billboard 200 and sold over 7 million copies in the US. Combs is also known for his business ventures, including the clothing line Sean John, launched in 1998, and other successful enterprises such as the Revolt TV network and partnerships with luxury liquor brands. He is considered one of the wealthiest musical artists, with a net worth estimated at around $1 billion as of 2022. Combs has won multiple accolades including Grammy Awards, BET Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards. Beyond music, he has been involved in philanthropy and political activism, especially in supporting Black communities and educational causes. However, more recently, Sean Combs has faced serious legal issues. In 2024, he was charged with federal sex trafficking, transportation to engage in prostitution, and racketeering. After a trial in 2025, he was found guilty of transportation to engage in prostitution and sentenced to over four years in prison but acquitted of racketeering and some sex trafficking charges. As of October 2025, he is serving this sentence.
