Diddy Through The Years

Diddy: Through the Years
From launching his uber-successful Bad Boy Records label to taking on a comedic role in the new movie 'Get Him To The Greek,' Sean 'Diddy' Combs has never been complacent in the career moves he's made. Here's a look at some of his biggest career accomplishments over the past 20 years.

Diddy Through The Years

Truly "The Man," Diddy's Bad Boy Records hip-hop label has reportedly sold over 80 million records with acts like The Notorious B.I.G., 112 and Faith Evans on its roster. Diddy has also starred on Broadway, ran the New York City marathon and still be known to throw a blow-out party.

Diddy Through The Years

Sean John Combs was born in the Harlem section of New York City on November 4, 1969.

Diddy Through The Years

Combs was an avid break-dancer. He appeared in Father MC's 'Treat Them Like They Want to be Treated' music video in 1991.

Diddy Through The Years

Combs attended Howard University in Washington, DC, and spent his weekends commuting to New York to intern at Andre Harrell's Uptown Records. He eventually dropped out of college to work as an executive at Uptown, where he worked on Mary J. Blige's debut 'What's the 411?'

Diddy Through The Years

In 1992, Diddy oversaw and executive produced 'What's the 411' the debut album of Mary J. Blige. He dubbed her the 'Queen of Hip-Hop Soul' – a moniker she goes by to this date. He also helmed production on her 1994 'My Life' album and 2003 'Love and Life' album.

Diddy Through The Years

In 1993, Combs, who also began going by the nickname 'Puff Daddy,' was fired from Uptown Records. Instead of going to work for another record company, he decided to start his own, Bad Boy Records.

Diddy Through The Years

Diddy shared a close relationship with music industry titan, Clive Davis during the 1990s. The Arista Records founder -- who is credited with crafting Whitney Houston's mega career -- signed Diddy's Bad Boy Records imprint to a multimillion dollar distribution deal.

Diddy Through The Years

Combs signed heavyset Brooklyn rapper The Notorious B.I.G. in 1992. After the release of Biggie Smalls' debut 'Ready to Die,' in 1994, he quickly became one of the countries biggest hip-hop stars. Also on the Bad Boy roster was B.I.G.'s wife/R&B singer Faith Evans, R&B trio Total and R&B guy group112.

Diddy Through The Years

Tired of being behind-the-scenes, Combs started to rap under his moniker Puff Daddy. He was featured in Lil' Kim's 1996 solo track, 'No Time' and appeared in her first music video. This was all before becoming a chart-topping Grammy Award winner in his own right.

Diddy Through The Years