Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969
[1999 Duty Captain's Report (January 17, 2001) CourtTV. Archived from the original on 2008-02-09. Accessed 2006-08-23.]), known by his
stage name Diddy, is an American record producer, rapper, actor, men's fashion designer, entrepreneur and dancer. He won three
Grammy Awards and two
MTV Video Music Awards, and his clothing line earned a Council of Fashion Designers of America award.
He was originally known as
Puff Daddy and then as
P. Diddy (Puff and Puffy being often used as a nickname, but never as recording names). In August 2005, he changed his stage name to "Diddy". He continues to use the name P. Diddy in
New Zealand and the
United Kingdom, the latter after a legal battle with another artist,
Richard "Diddy" Dearlove.
[ In June 2008 Combs' representative denied rumors of another name change.][Combs reverting to Puff Daddy status? (June 9, 2008) E! Online. Accessed 2008-06-10.]
His business interests under the umbrella of Bad Boy Entertainment Worldwide include Bad Boy Records; the clothing lines Sean John; Sean by Sean Combs, a movie production company; and two restaurants. He has taken the roles of recording executive, performer, producer of MTV's Making the Band, writer, arranger, clothing designer, and Broadway actor.
