Combs, Sean ‘Puffy’ John (1969– )

US hip-hop artist, songwriter, and producer. He specialized in hip-hop remixes during the 1990s and established an entertainment empire, including a record label, marketing company, magazine, clothing line, and restaurant franchise. As Puff Daddy, he released his own highly successful album No Way Out, featuring the hit singles ‘Can't Nobody Hold Me Down’ and ‘I'll Be Missing You’, in 1997. He played a death row inmate in the Academy Award-winning film Monster's Ball in 2001.

He founded Bad Boy Records in 1993, producing music for R&B artists Mary J Blige, Faith Evans, and the Notorious BIG. – to whom ‘I'll Be Missing You’ was a tribute. Bearing the dual image of gangster and entertainment mogul, Combs gained notoriety from the East coast–West coast rapper clashes that killed BIG and rapper Tupac Shakur, as well as charges of gun possession and assault. He received more media notoriety from his tempestuous relationship with Jennifer Lopez.

He was born in Harlem and grew up in Mount Vernon, New York, developing his nickname from the way he puffed out his chest on the football field. He studied business at Howard University for two years before leaving to pursue a career in music. He then took up an internship at the now defunct Uptown Records. Bad Boy Records became part of Universal Records in 2003.