Sean John Combs, known professionally by various stage names including Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, and Puffy, is a Black American entertainer and entrepreneur born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York City. He rose to prominence as a successful record producer, rapper, actor, and fashion mogul. Although born in Harlem, Combs was raised in Mount Vernon, a nearby suburb of New York City. His father was tragically killed in a shooting when Combs was still a child, leaving his mother, Janice Combs—a former model and teacher’s assistant—to raise him. During his high school years, he had a son with his longtime girlfriend.
Combs attended Mount Saint Michael Academy, a Catholic high school in the Bronx, graduating in 1987. He went on to enroll at Howard University, a historically Black university in Washington, D.C. However, he left the university during his sophomore year to pursue a career in the music industry—an endeavor that would prove to be exceptionally lucrative and influential.
After leaving Howard University, Combs gained hands-on experience in the music industry by interning at Uptown Records. He quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming director of talent. In that role, he played a significant part in launching the careers of future R&B superstars such as Mary J. Blige and Jodeci.
Following his dismissal from Uptown Records, Combs founded his own label, Bad Boy Entertainment, in partnership with Arista Records. Through Bad Boy, he helped propel the careers of numerous artists, including The Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, and 112. He also worked closely with other major artists like Mariah Carey, Usher, and Boyz II Men, further solidifying his reputation in the music world.
In 1997, under the name Puff Daddy, he released his debut studio album, No Way Out. The album included the hit single "I'll Be Missing You," a tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., who had been killed earlier that year. The single topped charts around the world and contributed to the album’s widespread commercial success, selling over seven million copies. No Way Out won a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and received four additional nominations, marking a critical and commercial high point in his career.
In 1998, Combs expanded into fashion by launching a clothing line named Sean John. Within two years, the line received a nomination from the Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA). In 2004, Sean John won the CFDA Men's Designer of the Year Award, demonstrating his business acumen and strong brand presence in the fashion industry.
| Net Worth 2021: | 740 million |
