REWIND: The Notorious B.I.G. - "Party and Bullsh*t"

The Notorious B.I.G. performing "Party and Bullshit" with Puffy at the Lyricist Lounge.

At the end of the performance you can hear Puff say "Biggie Smalls coming out on Uptown the label". This was early in B.I.G.'s career before Bad Boy has secured distribution at Arista.

What should be clear is his success came over time and required work. Sometimes I feel it's overlooked how hard that man worked. Any with a great deal of success has to work hard at many different things simultaneously. Admire B.I.G.'s work ethic as much as his ability to spit dope rhymes and craft hit records.

REWIND: Super Cat ft. Notorious B.I.G., Puffy & Jesse West - "Dolly My Baby"

One of the first videos Christopher Wallace(Notorious B.I.G.) makes an appearance, linking him to Bad Boy. "Party & Bullshit" had come out earlier but was on the MCA label.

Because it was early in B.I.G's career he hadn't moved away from his original rap style of yelling when he rhymed. Much of his early work and some of his later songs are punctuated by this style. As he recorded more songs Puffy discouraged him from rhyming so aggressively and suggested he sound more calm, making him easier to understand and appealing to the female listener(he would go one to ask Busta Rhymes to do the same). It worked.

He can first be heard using his newer style on the "Craig Mack Flavor In Your Ear Remix". Although his first radio single "Juicy" had a more hyper sounding B.I.G., the "One More Chance" single and video are where it all came together - the transformation had been completed. They had discovered the formula that would make B.I.G. appealing to men and women as an artist.

R.I.P(Rest In Power) Christopher Wallace.

Diddy and Shyne During Paris Fashion Week

Diddy & Shyne in Paris during Paris Fashion Week.via thisis50

Diddy and Shyne were seen conversing in Paris during Paris Fashion Week. 

The above photo was Tweeted by Diddy with the caption "Me and Shyne Po front row at Kenzo".

Read more...

Video: French Montana ft. Charlie Rock - "Shot Caller"

Although they waited mad looooong to release a video for this joint, it helps give the record a little more life. Now that the deal with Bad Boy is done, the budgets should be in place to release product on a more "regular" basis.

I fux with that "Shot Caller" record heavy.

The Bad Boy showcase on 106th and Park was aiight, but who told homeboy to come out there with a guitar while Red Cafe was rapping - it was like two shows going on at once. No bueno!

Justin Combs and Sean Combs on Lemming Report

Puff and his son Justin, a high school All-American cornerback, discuss his heavy recruitment by universities.

They also talk about the switch from quarterback to cornerback. Many black QBs are discouraged from playing the position and converted to other positions where speed and athleticism are needed.

Justin Combs ability in the secondary is solid. I'd like to see him close on the ball and disrupt the passing lanes or catch. It would also be good to see his ability to intercept. 

At the right school he'll learn a lot more about technique and reading the offensive player to become the "second receiver" after the ball.

Although his size appears small, from film he can play big against receivers.

Puff, don't let them make your son a safety... nothing but abuse to the body.

Machine Gun Kelly Signs to Bad Boy/Interscope

Cleveland rapper Machine Gun Kelly has documented his journey as he pursued a record deal. In this film we see him start out from the humblest of beginnings, to a slow steady build up of support from fans with the release of his mixtape and end with his actual signing of his contract with Sean"Diddy" Combs in the Interscope offices.

Definitely an inspiring clip. What makes this a good move for Kelly is, unlike other artists who have gone to Bad Boy looking to be made into artists, he has an identity and a fan base. 

Swag - The Popularization of the Word

Diddy, for a limited time, changed his name to Swag.

The hip-hop set has become obsessed with keywords, like any other genre(think "branding"), but the word "swag" has captured the attention of hip-hop audiences and the mainstream alike.

Jason Richards(The Atlantic) looks into the fad or phenomena that is taking place(at least until the end of summer).

Read how Lil B and Diddy helped popularize an old word, making it hip...again...

Swag. 

via theatlantic

Video: Diddy-Dirty Money ft. Usher - "Looking For Love" (Trailer)

Diddy - Dirty Money ft. Usher - "Looking For Love"

Diddy- Dirty Money ft. Usher - "Looking For Love"

Diddy Performance at SXSW Fader Fort

In case you thought Puff was in Austin only introducing cats on stage, here's something to prove you part wrong.

Yes, he's performing, but, it looks like he's lip syncing.

It's good that he did that much. I heard there were some lower level artists with fewer years in the game who wouldn't perform at all - just wanted to be watched.

These artists don't understand they are killing their careers with these negative attitudes.

That's cool... say what you want about some people... at least they are always professional.

Word.

Diddy Announces Dirty Money Tour Dates

The Puff and Interscope relationship is looking like a good move for both parties.

Its gonna take more time to see what the deal is with the Bad Boy roster, but for now, he's smart to focus on completely focusing his promotion dollars attention on Last Train to Paris and working out the tour so it's tight by the summer.

Check the Coming Home Tour dates above.

Gotta respect that man's grind... its not like someone gave everything to him.

Do your thing playboy.

Rick Ross and Diddy Spend $1 Mil in King of Diamonds

via nbc

Peter Bailey takes you on a evening out with Rick Ross, Diddy, Pharrell and the Maybach Music Group.

You get to hear from Rick Ross, Pharrell and others how it feels to "do it big" Miami.

While in King of Diamonds, Ross and Diddy make it rain to the tune of $1 million. 

Diddy's iPad Controlled Luxury Yacht

Diddy chartered this yacht for $850,000 a week.

via cnntech

When Diddy vacations he has to do it big enough so no one else can say they did the same thing last week. His latest lesson in "How to Stunt 101", is reserving a super-luxury yacht for his girlfriend Kim Porter and their daughters.

The yacht sports a gym, dance floor, spa, flat screen televisions everywhere, aroma therapy shower and master bedroom suite... to name a few amenities.

Puff's yacht uses iPad remote controls to access functions aboard the vessel.

The most unique feature of the yacht is its ability to control a variety of entertainment and climate control functions using Apple iPads.

Read more...

Video: Dirty Money ft. Diddy & Swizz Beatz - "Ass On The Floor"

It's hard to call this one for Interscope, but, they have a good chance with this Last Train To Paris album.

It's been reworked, better production than the original songs that were floating around and they have the visuals(read images) together to promote this thing.

I'm looking forward to Puff working this album into the Spring.

Video: Dirty Money ft. Drake - "Loving You No More"