In the 1990s and 2000s, few personalities swaggered through the music industry quite like Sean Combs. In his decades in the public eye, Combs established himself as a multihyphenate cultural force, building an empire that toppled amid allegations of sexual abuse and misconduct.
Combs founded the Bad Boy Records label in 1993 and cultivated the talents of Mary J. Blige, Usher and the Notorious B.I.G. He was their producer and one-man hype machine. In the recording studio, Combs blended rap lyrics with catchy R&B samples, creating a new template for a generation of artists.
He then pivoted to performing in his own right, pumping out tracks such as “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Shake Ya Tailfeather.” He topped the Billboard charts, racked up 14 career Grammy nominations, and earned a reputation as a savvy hitmaker. He helped push hip-hop firmly into the mainstream.
Combs was not content with simply conquering the entertainment industry. He cemented himself as a global lifestyle brand, launching ventures almost as often as he changed his stage name.
He spearheaded the successful clothing label Sean John in 1998. He became “brand ambassador” for the liquor company Cîroc. He presided over annual “White Parties” in the Hamptons. He elevated trendy streetwear into symbols of aspirational luxury.
