The Urban Daily » Diddy

STYLE ICON: Diddy Ran The City In His Mohawk

Jasmine Waters — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 21:32:15 +0000

Fewer people have held such influence over our culture like Diddy. From Bad Boy to Sean John, Mr. Combs has made almost as big of an impact on what we wear as he has on what we hear, evidenced in 2003 when he resurrected a long forgotten style trend born out of a simple mission: to run a marathon.

Should Diddy Run This City Next?

In September of that year, Combs announced that he’d become an advocate for children and on their behalf, would run the New York City Marathon. But the real attention grabber was his new haircut. Bald faded along the sides and cut to a steeple at the front of his dome, Diddy now sported an aerodynamic hybrid between a Lonnie Luster and a Dennis The Menace, that could only be called a fro-hawk.

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Combs longtime friend and barber Curtis Smith calls the cut the ‘9CHawkie’. When asked about the haircut – first popularized by Mr. T – Smith was quick to clarify that Diddy’s style choice wasn’t an homage to the A-Team. Nope, Sean Combs had been inspired by the then three-year-old Maddox Jolie, the adopted Cambodian son of actress Angelina. The barber spent several months perfecting the Entertainment Moguls ‘grown-man version’, which soon caught fire in barbershops throughout the nation, and stayed put.

Combs didn’t win the marathon that year. But he did finish in an impressive 4 hours and 15 minutes and raised over $2 million for NYC kids. But almost equally as amazing, Diddy spawned a decade long trend that’s seen everyone from Chad Ocho Cinco to Duane Rock Johnson to even rapper Whiz Khalifa sport their own versions of the hawk.

Who other than Diddy could take a toddler’s swag and turn it into a movement?

Looking to get the Mohawk look for yourself? Watch this clip to see how it’s done!

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Pilar Goes In On Deion Sanders, Diddy’s Jealousy [AUDIO]

The Madd Hatta Morning Show — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 17:11:29 +0000

There’s more drama in the Deion and Pilar Sanders divorce, and Nnete tells all about it in this edition of “That’s What’s Up!” Plus, hear what Diddy saw Cameron Diaz doing that made him jealous, and find out what Drake is selling.

Are Diddy And Cameron Diaz Hooking Up? [AUDIO]

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Shyne & Diddy Reconcile After 12 Years

The Urban Daily — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:23:47 +0000

According to our friends over at HipHopBlog.com former Bad Boy artist Shyne has made his peace with Sean “Diddy” Combs. Shyne said “As far as Puff is concerned, that’s been a long time coming, he had reached out to me twice while I was in the pen, but I just wasn’t ready for it.”

Well it seems the time has come, the two reconciled after twelve years following the 1999 club shooting involving the rapper, Diddy, and his then girlfriend Jennifer Lopez. Shyne felt it was time to let bygones be bygones, he said that throughout the whole ordeal from the shooting to his nine year prison term, Diddy has always been positive and accommodating toward him. “I felt how I felt, I said what I said. In retrospect, when you looked at the way he handled it, he held it down, he wore it … he ain’t had nothing to say; always had good things to say. It was always, ‘Yo, whatever Shyne need, we got him.”

Shyne Is Celibate & No Longer Cursing In His Raps

Diddy On His Reputation For Killing Bad Boy Artists’ Careers

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When Will Cassie Give It Up? Sub Tweets Diddy

Shamika Sanders — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 22:51:04 +0000

Even though Diddy was partying with his baby mother Kim Porter this weekend for the New Year, Cassie sub tweeted the Hip Hop mogul who sent out the sub tweet “I miss u!” Seems complicated? well it isn’t. We’ve seen Diddy sport both the lovely ladies around town and we have one question: when will one of them say ‘no more?’ because clearly he won’t!

Then again we don’t know what they have…

Diddy On His Reputation For Killing Bad Boy Artists’ Careers

Are Diddy And Cameron Diaz Hooking Up? [AUDIO]

Did Diddy Make Jennifer Lopez Cry?

Diddy On His Reputation For Killing Bad Boy Artists’ Careers

Darnella Dunham, Senior Producer — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 16:44:57 +0000

Diddy and his label Bad Boy Records has been criticized for killing the careers of the artists who get signed, but Diddy doesn’t think he deserves that reputation. He doesn’t deny that some people (Black Rob, Craig Mack, Dream, Shyne and G-Dep to name a few) have fallen off after, but says the same has happened at Def Jam.

Read more about Diddy’s comments here, or listen to the full interview below.

Are Diddy And Cameron Diaz Hooking Up? [AUDIO]

Did Diddy Make Jennifer Lopez Cry?

Diddy Saves Boys & Girls Club Of Harlem

SOURCE

French Montana Signs To Bad Boy, Will Diddy Ruin His Career?

Darnella Dunham, Senior Producer — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 22:53:07 +0000

French Montana is the latest addition to Diddy‘s Bad Boy Records roster, but will French Montana be hit with the Bad Boy curse like Shyne, Black Rob, Mase, G-Dep and the other rappers who had unhappy endings? Bad Boy is looking pretty strong these days by signing MGK (Machine Gun Kelly) and Red Cafe, but will they fall off like most of their predecessors?

The new slate off Bad Boy artists and Cassie recently visited BET and French Montana said, “The team is lookin’ mean right now … It’s take over time.” Check the video for more comments from the Bad Boy family, and vote in our poll!

French Montana Explains Jim Jones Beef! [VIDEO]

Red Cafe “I Think Motherf****s Need To Grow Up” [EXCLUSIVE]

Shamika Sanders — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 22:45:05 +0000

“Shakedown!!!” can be heard in the background of numerous rap records. It is Red Cafe‘s way of branding not only himself but his debut album. He has done an admirable job thus far, especially being that he has had some discrepancies with major labels. Though he was content with being an Independent artist, a deal with Bad Boy Records was just too good to pass up.

Why put out one last mixtape before the album?

I personally feel that I’m supposed make the people be positive that I’m a brand that they can trust. The only way you can do that is to give them music to make it “Bible.” I want them to wake up and feel like it is necessary to listen to Red Cafe to get their day started. I think that you have to give to get, you have to give a couple of records away to build their confidence. I want to prove myself to people time and time again.

What can we expect from Shakedown?

You should expect honesty from the album. A record you can listen to 5-10 years from today. The most important thing about me and my music is that I don’t compromise who I am. You’ll be able to party to it and feel sexy to it. Get your champagne flukes, I think I’ll have a record for every purpose.

Do you feel a lot of artists aren’t being themselves in Hip Hop right now?

It’s entertainment. There are a lot of people out there who put on a mask and they become the person they feel is interesting for the people to see. I’m just not that person. I want to be able to be proud of my music, years from today.

How did the deal with Diddy come about?

I definitely went through a journey with record companies and it being unsuccessful and them not knowing what to do with me or me just getting in at bad timing. A lot of the record companies end up folding. I was passed the record company signing situation, I was just I’m going to be an Independent artist and control the wheel and do my own thing. That showed me success I had great records out that people were responding to. I just felt like I was doing good job on my own. Finally Puff, Jimmy Ivine and the Interscope staff liked what I was doing and they just wanted to be apart of the movement. They wanted to be a support system to help me get the level they felt I was supposed to be on. They reached out to me and it made sense.

Were you ever fearful of signing with Bad Boy given their history with artists?

Not at all. Whatever deal I wanted to sign with Diddy is what we talked about. Before I signed any papers I made sure we came to the terms I was comfortable with and that’s the most important thing. If you have an attorney that represents you, you negotiate a deal, if you sign the deal you can’t get upset about it. You signed it, nobody held a gun to your head. I also feel like I’m my own person I control the wheel for my destiny. I don’t have to wait on Puff to do anything for me and that’s probably the problem with the other artists. After he made them platinum artists it was their job to take the wheel and start doing their own thing and start building their own business structure themselves instead of waiting on him to hold their hand. I think that’s where the disconnect happens. I think motherf****rs need to grow up!

Do you think that was the issue with a lot of the artists on Bad Boy that have been dropped?

Definitely, artists get caught up in his lifestyle, trying to live in his lifestyle and not focusing on themselves. I think that was the disconnect and they just expected Puff to just continue to do everything for them. Even when you are on a regular record label you have that initial interest with the person who signs you–they hold you down they help you go platinum or gold…then they move on to the next artist. You have to take the initiative and take control over your situation.

How has it been working with Diddy?

He’s really motivating to me, he’s an inspiration. He constantly challenges me. He went from being an intern, working hard to become the man he is today. He came from having nothing to making it work. He works like his bank account says zero.

Favorite artist right now?

I like how consistent Lil Wayne is. He’s putting out great records, he’s really focused on him and his brand and making them really special in the game. I appreciate what he is doing.

Thoughts on the state of Hip Hop?

People are making great records, there’s not a bunch of bad records out there getting attention. You got Drake, who is making great records with a lot of reality behind it and he’s making a record out of it which is dope creatively and for music. You got Watch The Throne, which is very special-it showed a lot of integrity. I think Hip Hop is going in a great place.

Red Café featuring Diddy – “Let it Go” Tour Video

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Heavy D’s Famous Friends Attend His Viewing And Wake Service [PHOTOS]

Darnella Dunham, Senior Producer — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 18:32:50 +0000

Heavy D was beloved by many and several of his famous friends paid their respect at his viewing and wake service yesterday. Celebrities were expected to wait until today to attend the private funeral, but some of them decided to send Heav on his peaceful journey along with his fans. Take a look at the photos of some of those in attendance.

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Are Diddy And Cameron Diaz Hooking Up? [AUDIO]

The Madd Hatta Morning Show — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:14:36 +0000

Nnete is talking about all the topics you care about! Did Shaq get married to Hoopz? Ruben Studdard is going to divorce court. Are Diddy and Cameron Diaz getting it in as friends with benefits? Congratulations to Busta Rhymes! Find out the details in the audio player below.

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Man Up: Guys That Went Out Like Punks After Getting Dumped

The Urban Daily — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 20:18:57 +0000

After getting dumped by Kim Kardashian, soon-to-be ex hubby Kris Humphries made a desperate claim that he was going to save his marriage. As if finding out on TMZ wasn’t bad enough KH reinforced the opinion of most that he is soft as a used baby diaper.

But this dumpee is not alone. Bossip.com rounded up a list of Cupid’s rejects and documented their less than manly reactions.

Diddy - When J. Lo kicked him to the curb for shooting up the clubs, he started making cotton candy soft songs like “I Need A Girl” and the whole world called him weak for taking it to the music. Good thing he’s with Cassie and got his edge back a little. We were worried there for a bit.

READ THE FULL LIST AT BOSSIP.COM

Did Diddy Make Jennifer Lopez Cry?

The Urban Daily — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 12:21:16 +0000

While performing at the Mohegan Sun’s 15th Anniversary Celebration in Connecticut, Jennifer Lopez began crying onstage after “If You Had My Love,” a song that might have triggered Diddy memories for her. According to reports, the tears began to fall after he dancers reenacted her relationships with Chris Judd, Diddy, Ben Affleck and Marc Anthony.

So who was Jennifer crying over? Only she knows, but it would be cool to see her reconnect with Diddy.

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Diddy Saves Boys & Girls Club Of Harlem

jazzyf — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 18:00:05 +0000

Sean “Diddy” Combs saves Boys & Girls Club of Harlem. The hip hop mogul isn’t being mentioned in the media for his ignorant antics this week. He is giving back to the community with a contribution that will save the organization.

According to XXL Magazine, Diddy’s donation was right on time. There had been some changes to the Club’s budget for operations due to federal, state and private funding.

Boys and Girls Club of Harlem board member, Willie C. Bentley, Jr. said in a statement.

“Mr. Combs’ contribution comes at a time when we were faced with the possibility of eliminating existing programs and/or club sites. 100% of Mr. Combs’ contribution will go directly to the young people, and provide educational, recreational and social enrichment programs allowing us to move forward as a club, uninterrupted.”

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Uncle Luke Calls Out Lil Wayne & Diddy For Disrespecting Miami

The Urban Daily — Wed, 05 Oct 2011 20:33:04 +0000

It’s no secret that rappers from around the country have been taking their talents to South Beach, turning Miami into their personal playground. However, longtime resident of Miami-Dade county Luther “Uncle Luke” Campbell is taking exception to everyone taking from his city but giving nothing back.

In a letter to the Miami New Times Luke took aim at Lil Wayne, Diddy, DJ Khaled and others:

“I’ve got a message for Lil Wayne, his Cash Money Brothers, DJ Khaled, Puff Daddy and all the rappers from other parts of the country who now live in Miami. I’m tired of seeing these cats using up our beaches, soaking up our sunshine, taking over the nightclubs, and sleeping with our women without investing anything into the community. I want to know when Lil Wayne is going to do more than show up courtside at the American Airlines Arena. Hell, it’s not like he paid for them anyway. You know he got comped.”

“This free loading and mooching of my city has got to stop. There used to be a day when out of town rappers were scared to throw their weight around Miami. It didn’t matter if they were coming from New York or Los Angeles, they knew better than to act like they owned this motherfu**er.”

READ THE FULL LETTER AT VLADTV.COM

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Diddy’s Most Ignorant Moments

jazzyf — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 21:39:44 +0000

Diddy is known to do some off the wall ignorant things just because he’s Diddy. The hip hop mogul is clearly aware of the power that comes along with being rich and famous. He has been seen in public and on tape several times conducting himself in a distasteful manner.

I think we all might have a love hate relationship with Diddy. The hip hop community respects him because of his great contributions to hip hop. Yet there are those moments when you will catch Diddy acting a damn fool and you say to yourself, “What The Hell Is Wrong With Diddy?” After this weeks incident with T.I. which Diddy apologized for. TUD decided to compile a list of Diddy’s most ignorant moments.

Check out the list below.

Diddy and T.I. hosted a party after the BET hip hop awards at Compound night club in Atlanta over the weekend. Mr. Take That decides to wild out on Kenny Burns for drinking Grey Goose instead of Ciroc. I believe Kenny is sponsored by the brand so why wouldn’t he drink Grey Goose over Ciroc. T.I. decided to check Diddy to defuse the situation.

Diddy is known for trying to belittle his employees. During Making The Band 4 he decided to talk down to Laurieann Gibson who is currently the best choreographer in the game at the moment. The problem occurred when Laurieann decided to challenge the guys with learning the dance moves in one day. The boys could not keep up with Laurieann and looked a fool in front of Diddy. Diddy didn’t like Laurieann taking initiative and the two got into a heated argument. Diddy decided to let her know, “I’m psycho for real.”

Remember when Diddy changed his name to SWAG for a week? Yeah this is another ignorant moment for Diddy. Not only did he change his name for a week but he created a Twitter account and promotional video. In the video Ray J and a few of Diddy’s friends co-signs his name change yelling out “SWAG” over and over again. Check out the video below.

Nas’s manager Steve Stoute promised Diddy the clip where he impersonates Jesus on the cross would not appear in the “Hate Me Now” music video. Diddy decided not to include the clip because of his religion. When the video premiered, the clip of Diddy was included. Diddy was pretty upset with Steve Stoute and it was later reported that Steve Stoute was attacked by Diddy with a bottle of Champagne. Now wouldn’t you say that was pretty ignorant and not something a religious man would do. Lets not forget about the clip in the video where he spits Champagne in camera.

Diddy is beyond confident that Ciroc is the best vodka in the world. He stated, “If you’re not drinking Ciroc then you’re drinking pee-pee.” Well his competitors was not too happy with that. Georgi decided they were not going to take the jab sitting on the toilet. Instead they sent Diddy a toilet full of Ciroc. Georgi delivered an actual toilet full of Ciroc to the bad boy office.

Diddy appears to be drunk in the clip below going in on Jessica Simpson and Lindsay Lohan for using Proactiv. Saying he was using the product for seven years and now everyone think its official because Jessica Simpson said so. You know Diddy wants to be the first person to put everyone on to something new. In the video below, Diddy channels everyone’s one drunk uncle at the family reunion and talks smack while rocking a Du-Rag.

Diddy decided to take the world into his bathroom and explain how it feels when he releases his urine. He seems to love to video blog as much as he love to say “take that.” This is just one of many video blogs Diddy has produced over the years. Check out the footage where Diddy uses the bathroom while he explains how good it feels and let out a sigh of relief.

Diddy Apologizes For Rant: Blame It On The Ciroc?

The Urban Daily — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:45:05 +0000

It seems like Diddy is regretting his angry comments to non-Ciroc drinkers at a BET Hip Hop Awards after party, which led to T.I. checking him, so Diddy took to his apologies to Twitter. Some of the highlights include: “I will humble myself and learn,” “I’m sorry for the ignorant way I repesented myself and us,” and “Forgive me for my ignorance.”

Take a look at the rest of Diddy’s tweets below…

T.I. Checks Diddy At BET Hip Hop Awards After Party [VIDEO]

Diddy’s Son Justin Combs Has Game Like Deion Sanders? [VIDEO]

T.I. Explains Why He “Checked” Diddy

The Urban Daily — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 13:16:40 +0000

T.I.‘s comments to Diddy on the microphone in an Atlanta night club after the BET Hip Hop Awards grabbed a lot of headlines, because it appeared that Tip was putting the Ciroc boy in check. But apparently, that wasn’t the intention.

T.I. spoke about the incident yesterday (October 3rd) and explained, “I was trying to diffuse the situation to keep it from becoming something.” His main concern was to stay out of trouble, and T.I. stated his comments to Diddy were made “out of love, not to check him or belittle him.”

Tip added that he respects Diddy.

T.I. Checks Diddy At BET Hip Hop Awards After Party [VIDEO]

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T.I. Checks Diddy At BET Hip Hop Awards After Party [VIDEO]

Shamika Sanders — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 12:41:21 +0000

The BET Hip Hop awards took place this weekend with a few bumps along the way. T.I’s after party turned into a war of words when Diddy decided to flex his “I’m made of millions, so I don’t have to respect you” muscle when he pressed Kenny Burns of Grey Goose for drinking other brands of liquor than Ciroc. Diddy jumped in Kenny’s face but T.I, fresh out of prison (on parole) wasn’t having all the shenanigans. T.I. demanded the mic and told Diddy off!

Watch below:

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Diddy Begging Jennifer Lopez For A Second Chance?

jazzyf — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 18:00:32 +0000

Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony was spotted together last weekend. Now there are rumors that the two may get back together. There were also rumors of JLo and Diddy getting back together. Word on the street is Diddy has been begging Jennifer Lopez not to get back together with Marc Anthony.

If Diddy and JLo have seen one another on the low as previously reported, there just might be some truth to this rumor. We all seen how Diddy spazzed out when JLo left him before. We have reason to believe Diddy has been getting his Drake “Marvin’s Room” on, sub-tweeting JLo on Twitter. Check out the tweets below!

Diddy’s Son Justin Combs Has Game Like Deion Sanders? [VIDEO]

The Urban Daily — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 16:38:30 +0000

Diddy‘s oldest biological son Justin Combs is a heavily recruited high school football player, and he compares his game to cornerbacks like Deion Sanders, Darrelle Revis and Asante Samuel. Find out why Justin shifted from quarterback to cornerback, and what he thinks he has in common with other greats who’ve played his position in this video, and check out some of his highlights on the football field in the videos below.

Tell us your story of overcoming the impossible here!

Find out which schools have offered him scholarships right here.

Justin Combs’ Super Royal 16 [VIDEO]

SOURCE

9 Artists Who Changed Their Stage Names

Jonathan Hailey — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 20:35:59 +0000

What’s in a name? To many artists, that’s a loaded question. Most will say it’s not the name that matters and it’s the product is paramount. Others consider the name to be the most important. They reason people are attracted to the product because of the name associated. In some cases, the changing of a name places a public figure in the spotlight in an instant. Ron Artest, anyone? Metta World Peace? Really, dude?!

In the music world, the moniker of the artist holds equal billing to the music they deliver to fans. Mary J. Blige introduced a new name when she decided to start rapping. As a singer, she’s Mary J. Blige. As a rapper, she wishes to be called Brook Lynn. The Urban Daily writers were discussing the people in music who have tried or gone through with changing their stage names and the effect their decision has had on their career. Sound off in the comment section with any other artists who’ve changed their stage name.

Skylar Grey

Billed as Holly Brook was featured on Fort Minor’s single, “Where’d You Go” in 2006. After she made a brief cameo on TRL, Holly Brook faded back into obscurity. That is until Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Diddy asked her to contribute vocals to their hits in 2010. Rechristened Skylar Grey, the Wisconsin singer-songwriter received a Grammy nomination for her work on Eminem’s Recovery and performed with the white rapper and his mentor at the 53rd Grammy awards. Talk about a come up.

Cheri Dennis

One of Bad Boy Records’ many casualties was the R&B singer-songwriter, Cheri Dennis. After appearing on several tracks on Ma$e’s sophomore album in 1999, Dennis signed a deal with Bad Boy. Though fans believed it was the winners of the show, Cheri is actually the person singing the Making The Band 3 opener, “Ooh La La.” Her Ryan Leslie produced single, “I Love You,” failed to put any measurable dent in the charts and she retreated from the spotlight. She has reemerged as Cheri Coke, sporting blue hair and a totally different image. In a recent interview with XI Magazine, she let fans know what she’s been up to since dropping out of the spotlight, “I’ve been working hard, recording and just getting myself conditioned to get back into the whole music thing. I stepped away for a second. I severed ties with the label that I was once at. You all might know me as Cheri Dennis that was signed to Bad Boy, Atlantic. I got my release last February and since then I’ve been kinda restructuring my whole outlook on my career.” So it’s back to the drawing board for the songbird.

Peedi Crakk

The former Roc-A-Fella soldier has been plagued with album delays his entire career. Signed through Beanie Sigel’s State Property, Peedi Crakk had standout guest appearances on Hov’s The Bluprint 2, Freeway’s debut, and The Roots’ Game Theory. As his star began to rise, the Puerto Rican MC chose to change his name to Peedi Peedi to make himself more accessible. The name change had no effect on his rap career. He has yet to release an album and he’s been in the business since 2001. Now he’s signed to the internet based label, Amalgam Digital. When an album will surface still remains the million dollar question.

Killer Mike

Making his debut on the landmark disc, Stankonia, Killer Mike was poised to be the next to blow out of the Dungeon Family camp. Unfortunately, the streets have shown more love than mainstream media. The single, “A.D.I.D.A.S.” hit number 60 on the charts and that is his highest charting to date. Killer Mike left Big Boi’s Purple Ribbon All-Stars fold in 2007. He likened his departure to leaving the Clippers to go play for the Lakers. In his case the Lakers is T.I.’s Grand Hustle Records. Along with the label change, he went from Killer Mike to Mike Bigga. Neither the name or label change has had any effect on his sales because Mike Bigga’s last album went triple aluminum. No shots, just facts.

Ol’ Dirty Bastard

Is it really a surprise ODB landed on this list? The man had more aliases than someone running from the mafia. Though we loved the sheer ridiculousness of his nicknames, Ason Unique was the name he was going to release his last album under. Tragically, before the album was released ODB had passed away due to an accidental drug overdose. There was a lethal amount of cocaine and the prescription drug Tramadol, a synthetic opiate, in his system. Despite his death, The Dame Dash Music Group still has yet to release A Son Unique. In 2009, there was talk the collection would see the light of day on the anniversary of his passing. However, those plans never came to fruition.

Snoop Dogg

When Snoop was getting funky on the mic like an old batch of collard greens, he was known as Snoop Doggy Dogg. Snoop exited Death Row Records in 1998 and left part of his name too. Snoop claimed dropping the “Doggy” meant he was maturing and leaving all the negativity he dealt with at Death Row. After changing his name and image, Snoop Dogg sold 520,000 copies of Da Game Is To Be Sold, Not To Be Told in its first week. His first effort for No Limit Records stayed within the top ten for the next five weeks. Snoop Dogg’s No Limit debut went double platinum by the end of 1998, but that’s nothing new for the Dogg Father.

Kwame

Kwame was the kid MC discovered by Hurby “Luv Bug” Azor in 1989. Kwame made a name for himself with his second album with hits like, “Oneovdabigboiz” and “Ownlee Eue.” By 1992, Kwame tried to change his image and leave the polka-dots and playful rhymes behind. Neither critics or fans were feeling his sexually charged raps and he soon left the entertainment industry. In 2002, K1 Mil emerged as a music producer. Fans were shocked to learn K1 Mil was Kwame. since switching professions, he’s laid beats for Fantasia, Dru Hill, and LL Cool J. Guess his life wasn’t played out like those polka dots.

Brandy

Brandy is your favorite singer’s favorite singer. Despite having hits on hits on hits, Brandy wanted to explore another side of her creativity. In 2009, she began rapping under the name Brand Nu. As corny as the name was, her rhymes were worse. With raps like, “I’m back like I forgot somethin’,” everybody told her to have a seat. Luckily, Brandy has shelved her rap alternative for now to work on her R&B oriented RCA Records debut. The idea of new Brandy tunes is a welcome reprieve from lines like, “I told you once/ I told you twice/ You got my shoulder cold like a block of ice.” She can keep those for when she’s sitting up in her room–by herself!

Diddy

We already know Diddy runs the city. We also know he’s the king of dumb name changes out of sheer boredom. How a man goes from Puffy to Puff Daddy to P. Diddy to Diddy to Swag is beyond me. I’m beginning to believe every time he has a product to promote, he will make an announcement about amending his moniker. Then again, who really takes Sean Combs’ name changes seriously nowadays? Nobody? That’s what I thought. His brand has become bigger than a name. When you see Diddy, you immediately want to buy whatever he’s selling because his story is what dreams are made of. Going from the streets to multimillion dollar homes across the globe is what the American dream is all about. As for calling him Swag, in the words of Cedric The Entertainer, I’m a grown a** man. That’s not going down.

Prince

When you make music as brilliant as Prince does, you’re allowed to do what you want. After providing the music to steamy bedroom sessions and provoking thoughts with deep lyrics. As The Purple One rode the wave of his success, he began to feel as if his record company, Warner Brothers Records, was stifling his creativity and began acting out. He etched the word “slave” into face. Prince, then, announced he would be going by The Artist Formerly Known As Prince. Actually, he was going by that symbol that nobody can pronounce. Once Prince became The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, he dropped albums in rapid succession to fulfill his contract with Warner Brothers. Once the contract expired, he returned to his given name.

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Who Was The Best R&B Group Of The 90s? Boyz II Men Or Jodeci

Jonathan Hailey — Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:54:09 +0000

Whenever people reflect on 90s R&B, two names always enter the conversation. Boyz II Men and Jodeci were the two biggest male quartets in the game for the better part of a decade. The styles of singing and dress were contrasting, but the end result was the same. Jodeci and Boyz II Men each found immense success because of their steamy slow jams, party starting up tempos, and individual styles. Music fans had never seen anything like it. Two groups making the same type of material, except from adverse points of views.

Boyz II Men were fashioned as the guys any girl could bring home to mom. They were polite and accessorized anything with a smile. Bow ties, cardigan sweaters, and slacks were their uniform. Individual flair came into play with Shawn rocking a high top fade, Michael looking suave with his cane, Nathan had thick glasses, and Wanya’s ears were adorned with diamonds. Parents appreciated their daughters pining after guys like these. Their image was what a good boy was supposed to be. The only problem with Boyz II Men’s look was there were plenty of females who weren’t attracted to the cookie cutter good guys. They wanted something a bit more street.

Everything about Jodeci said antithesis of Boyz II Men. Whereas the guys from Philly were classically trained vocalists, Jodeci’s vocal stylings were fried in country soul. The texture of their vocals were rougher in comparison and appealed more to the people of the street. Diddy’s vision for the group was to make them edgy. So instead of suits and ties, they wore combat boots and snap back caps. Parents were a little concerned just by looking at them. Those concerns intensified once they heard the opening line to “Forever My Lady.” With lyrics talking about having babies out of wedlock, the older generation wasn’t ready for all of that.

Boyz II Men has sold over 60 million records worldwide. They won four Grammys in 1992 and hold three spots on the list for longest number one streak on Billboard’s Hot 100. “End of the Road” was number one for thirteen weeks. In 1994, “I’ll Make Love To You” spent fourteen weeks atop the pop charts. “One Sweet Day,” a duet with Mariah Carey outlasted both of those records by staying number one for sixteen weeks, which is still the record for longest number one streak.

While Boyz II Men dominated the pop charts, Jodeci were lords over the R&B charts. Their debut album, Forever My Lady, contained three number one R&B hits. Arion Berger of Entertainment Weekly gave the project a positive review, calling the album “sophisticated beyond the band members’ years” and continued that “if they can keep up the momentum of this commercially successful debut, Jodeci will be a force to be reckoned with.” Jodeci have won several Soul Train Awards as well as BillBoard Awards. They were nominated for a host of others, but went home empty handed.

So who was the best male R&B group of that decade? Was it the clean and crisp Boyz II Men or the rough and tumble Jodeci? We can debate all day as to why they both deserve the title, but now it’s time to settle the dispute once and for all.

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Diddy Buys Cassie Breast Implants? [PHOTOS]

jazzyf — Tue, 16 Aug 2011 17:28:00 +0000

Cassie just may have found a way to sell some records. Did Diddy buy Cassie breast implants? The R&B singer/model or whatever she thinks she is, moved out to Los Angeles and has taken on the lifestyle. Check out the photos below from MTO where you can see Cassie with a nice rack.

Ray J Newest Member Of Diddy’s Ciroc Boyz

jazzyf — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 18:43:19 +0000

Ray J has been in New York City promoting his new single “Bananaz” with Rick Ross and Rico Love. Yesterday Ray J tweeted, New @ciroc Promo! ..shout out to my bro @iamdiddy NYC #cirocboyz. Ciroc co-signed the promo when they tweeted, At the Londan Hotel with @rayj #teamCiroc.

I can’t tell if this was just a business meeting or if the promo shoot already took place.

Diddy & Jennifer Lopez Are Dating Again?

jazzyf — Mon, 25 Jul 2011 18:43:56 +0000

I knew that as soon as Diddy got word that Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony were getting a divorce, that he would be somewhere trying to get that old thing back.

According to one of the many MTO snitches, Jennifer Lopez reached out to Diddy last year when her marriage began to crumble. Diddy was in shock because the two had not spoken in years and out of nowhere she was calling and texting. Lopez kept in contact for months and on two occasions the two physically met.

Last week, Diddy and JLo were spotted out on a date at Phillipe Chows. Diddy entered the restaurant and went to the private area, JLo followed 20 minutes later. I guess this means Cassie and Kim Porter can have a seat because JLo and her ass are back in town.

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Laurieann Gibson Tells Why Lady Gaga Is The Most Powerful Celebrity [EXCLUSIVE]

jazzyf — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:03:19 +0000

Laurieann Gibson is on her way to becoming a household name. Although Gibson was a Fly Girl on the popular TV show In Living Color. Most of us know her as the no nonsense choreographer from Diddy’s MTV Making The Band. She has now moved on to helping Lady Gaga take over the music industry. Laurieann currently has not one but two television shows, The Dance Scene on E! and Born To Dance, which premieres on BET August 22 at 10pm. Laurieann tells TUD ‘s Jazzy F. what separates Lady Gaga from the rest and how Diddy has prepared her for the position she is in now.

First and foremost Glory of God because I am a believer and I am grateful for what he has done but it feels like work. Its another step its time to start he work I can’t get comfortable I’m like now you gotta turn it up and show up Laurie Ann. Not to much celebrating yet.

Not only do you teach but you inspire, where does it come from?

Out of my heart. God is true and my life is a testimony. Its my heart. My heart to serve peoples gift. I love what I do, I love seeing a star in someone. Seeing their desire and helping them, being their bridge over troubled water. Its part of the way my gift operates.

What separates Lady Gaga from the rest of the artist you have worked with?

One thing this artist does is listen and take in the information. She has been a spunge since day one. That is what separates her. She listens. As a result, the first pupil out of my official school of artist development. When I first met her she wasn’t developed into the pop artist that she is now. Everything I learned up until Gaga was teaching me how to develop my formula and strategy to building a number one act.

Where did the inspiration come from when you created the choreography for ”Born This Way?”

Gaga wrote a an amazing record and I was inspired by the music. I called her up one night and said I think I got it. We need to birth a new race in a race, a race that can’t hate or judge and you will recognize them from their prosthetic. In creating the movement I used the story of a race that is constantly birthing something. The inspiration comes from God

What did you learn from Diddy after working so close with him for many years?

My brother Diddy taught me about the business; he taught me without talking. He helped prepare me for the position that I am currently in. I often reflect on how I saw him operate. It wasn’t in a mean way or in an aggressive way, but in a way that he came from nothing [but love?] No one was going to take advantage of him. What I learned is don’t sacrifice your gift for anybody. Be willing to walk away or it jeopardizes your truth or creative instinct. Be willing to walk away because then you will get your respect; you will develop your own sense of greatness. But don’t ride the fence and don’t risk your instinct to have a job or belong, because then you push yourself further away from your goal.

How does It feel to have not one but two TV Shows of your own and doing your own thing?

It feels amazing! It feels Victorious. I can now tell you, you can make it. I can look at people who were laughed at, others who told them they couldn’t make it. People who said they couldn’t make it, or people that are being held down as a result of other people manipulating their gift to benefit themselves or yes, you stand in line to help someone but once that season is over, that person needs to give back to you. And if you are designed to help someone than that is amazing but if you are designed to birth something that god has for you I understand that pain your in now. Its feel like I am free and it feel like my gift can operate the way god designed it to. Its only gonna get better and we are not giving up anytime soon.

In the premiere of The Dance Scene you told Richard, no one can do what you have done for me. Why is Richard so special to you?

Those were words of truth. My Richard Jackson is the best male dancer on this planet. Lil Richie will assassinate anybody. When I was choreographing trying to find my way. This little kid 98 pounds wet, 8 years ago never gave up on me. When we were shooting making the band, the boys season. Know that we were sharing a room because MTV wouldn’t pay for an assistant. Every morning Richard had to wake up to me playing gospel music, yelling morning Richard rise and shine! To be able to pick up my routine like a computer and spit it back, he is my everything. He is working on an album now and I will be developing him.

What is it you look for when choosing a dancer?

It’s the fire and confidence. Every choreographer has a different style and some like all their dancers to look alike and not to shine too much. Not me; I want all the rock stars. I like to work with a dancer that was born to dance, that can’t do anything but dance, who knows how to communicate the record and deliver a feeling.

You’re pretty feisty and you have that fire in you, What is it that makes Laurieann say, I am not going to take anyone’s BS?

Because their BS is a projection. They want to crap all over your so you won’t do what you are called to do. I’m not letting that happen to me, my crew to anybody. I am not letting them do it!

You’re like the new Debbie Allen, has she inspired you in any way?

When I saw Debbie Allen in Fame, I saw myself and that is the vision that kept me pushing. She called me, and I still can’t breathe. There are no words for the inspiration she has given me.

Diddy Dirty Money ft. Usher “Looking For Love” [MUSIC VIDEO]

jazzyf — Thu, 26 May 2011 13:14:18 +0000

Diddy and Usher reunite in Diddy Dirty Money’s “Looking for Love” music video. While the two catch up Dawn and Kaleena play the background looking sexy in the Colin Tilley directed video. Check it out below!

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Diddy Changes His Name To “Swag”

Shamika Sanders — Fri, 20 May 2011 16:15:52 +0000

Diddy, formerly Puff daddy has changed his name again! It’s only for a week but Diddy now wants you to call him “Swag.” Yes, that’s right– the popular but dying urban-term “Swag” is now his first name. Diddy even changed his Twitter handle to @iamswag. Diddy, I mean Swag says “I decided that I’m gonna change my name for a week in honor of my comeback,” he said. “I’ve gone as Puff, Puffy, Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, Diddy, King Combs – my real name is Sean Combs – and for a week, this week only, you can call me by my new name: Swag.”

The enablers around Diddy didn’t tell him that it isn’t very “swaggy” to name yourself “Swag?” Oh no, that’s right; they’re enablers! And what comeback? you haven’t gone anywhere…

Nicki Minaj Drops Diddy, Hires Lil Wayne’s Manager

jazzyf — Mon, 16 May 2011 23:18:12 +0000

According to XXL, Nicki Minaj has decided to drop Diddy and James Cruz as her manager. The barbie made the move to be managed by Diddy and James Cruz after parting ways with Waka Flocka Flame’s mom Debra Antney. Nicki thought when she signed Diddy on as her manager he would be more hands on with her career but things didn’t go as she expected. A close source tells XXL that Nicki has now moved to be managed by Gee Roberson and Kyambo “Hip Hop” Joshua over at Hip-Hop Since 1978. Lil Wayne, Drake, Young Jeezy and Just Blaze are also on the roster of Hip Hop Since 1978. The source claims that there are no hard feelings between Nicki Minaj, Diddy and James Cruz.

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NYC Mayor Launches Investigation Into Diddy’s Police Escort

The Urban Daily — Wed, 27 Apr 2011 13:33:29 +0000

New York City’s Mayor Michael Bloomberg has launched an investigation into a police-led motorcade that led Diddy from a concert in Manhattan to an afterparty in New Jersey. The motorcade was arranged by Diddy’s dry cleaner.

From The New York Post:

Internal Affairs cops swarmed the city’s busiest precinct house, Midtown South — searching log records and work schedules — after The Post’s Page Six revealed that New York’s Finest helped whisk the hip-hop honcho from outside the Hammerstein Ball room toward New Jersey so he wouldn’t be late for his second gig Friday night, at a West Orange club.

“After being repeatedly rebuffed by police officers on the street — and a police lieutenant at the station house — a dry cleaner claiming to represent Sean Combs [Diddy] apparently prevailed upon a sergeant to direct a police van driven by a police officer to escort Combs,” the NYPD said.

A furious Bloomberg blasted the star treatment, saying, “The bottom line is the Police Department should treat everybody exactly the same. If you don’t get a police escort, P. Diddy shouldn’t.”

Diddy was originally slated to fly to the afterparty via helicopter, but the club’s helipad wasn’t cleared by the FAA in time.

Ashley Judd Apologizes For Calling Hip-Hop “Rape Culture”

The Urban Daily — Tue, 12 Apr 2011 13:45:48 +0000

Ashley Judd caused a firestorm of controversy when an excerpt of her new book, All That Is Bitter And Sweet, that compares hip-hop culture to rape culture was posted online. Judd recently apologized for the comments.

“Along with other performers, YouthAIDS was supported by Rap and Hip Hop artists like Snoop Dogg and P. Diddy to spread the message…um, who? Those names were a red flag,” Judd writes in her book.

“As far as I’m concerned, most Rap and Hip Hop music–with its rape culture and insanely abusive lyrics and depictions of girls and women as ‘ho’s'–is the contemporary soundtrack of misogyny. I believe that the social construction of gender–the cultural beliefs and practices that divide the sexes and institutionalize and normalize the unequal treatment of girls and women, privilege the interest of boys and men, and, most nefariously, incessantly sexualize girls and women–is the root cause of poverty and suffering around the world.”

Yesterday, Judd addressed the topic in a post on Global Grind, the news site founded by Russell Simmons.

I have looked closely at the feedback I have received about those two paragraphs, and absolutely see your points, and I fully capitulate to your rightness, and again humbly offer my heartfelt amends for not having been able to see the fault in my writing, and not having anticipated it would be painful for so many. Crucial words are missing that could have made a giant difference. It should have read: “Some hip-hop, and some rap, is abusive. Some of it is part of the contemporary soundtrack misogyny (which, of course, is multi-sonic). Some of it promotes the rape culture so pervasive in our world…..” Also, I, ideally, would have anticipated that some folks would see only representations of those two paragraphs, and not be familiar with the whole book, my work, and my message. I should have been clear in them that I include hip-hop and rap as part of a much larger problem. It is beyond unfortunate that I am talking about some, for example, of Snoop Dogs’ lyrics, an assumption has been spread I was talking about every single artist in both genres. That is false and distorted. Here, I am again aware that it would be impossible for me to get this “exactly right.” Some will find fault, no matter how careful I am, no matter what my intentions.

Read Judd’s whole statement on GlobalGrind.com