Diddy, also called Puff Daddy or P. Diddy is an influential producer-turned-rapper, entrepreneur, and three-time Grammy who’s dominated the mainstream rap scene for a long time.
The hip-hop icon recently made news for facing multiple counts of federal charges and other serious allegations, dismaying many of his fans.
You should keep reading if you’re curious about who Diddy was before and after the wake of controversies plaguing the star.
How old is Diddy? How did he become so famous? What are the grave charges the rapper currently faces? I’ll talk about everything you should know below!
Diddy Real Age and Birthday
Diddy, real name Sean John Combs, is 54 years old at the time of this writing. He was born on November 4, 1969, in Harlem, New York City.
The young Combs was raised by his mother, Janice. His father, who served in the U.S. Air Force, was shot dead when he was just two years old from being affiliated with drug kingpin Frank Lucas.
An interesting tidbit I found was that the young Combs was initially interested in studying business.
Before dropping out in his second year, he once attended Howard University and majored in business administration. This was before his stint with hip-hop and music production.
Sean Combs Career and Controversies
Sean “Diddy” Combs came a long way from the kid who grew up in a public housing project and dreamed of becoming a businessman.
The rapper was considered a mogul in the hip-hop industry. At the peak of his career, an invitation to one of his infamous parties was taken as a sign of a celebrity’s fame.
“When Diddy winked at you and said come into the VIP section, you knew you were going to have a perfect night,” said Rob Shuter, the star’s former publicist, in a BBC interview.
Some of Combs’ most famous guests include giant Hollywood personalities like Paris Hilton, Mariah Carrey, Jennifer Lopez, Jay-Z, Beyonce, Travis Scott, and Justin Beiber.
While unsuccessful, the hip-hop icon was also reported to have sent invitations to the British royalties, Prince Harry and William.
Sean “Diddy” Combs Rise to Fame
Before the A-lister parties, however, Combs began as a humble intern at Uptown Records after dropping out of university.
Incredibly skilled, Combs quickly became the company’s vice president. He produced many of Uptown Records’ most successful artists before quitting in the ‘90s.
By 1993, Combs decided to build his production company, Bad Boy Entertainment. There, he worked with massive talents like Mariah Carrey, Biggie Smalls, New Edition, Lil Kim, Method, Aretha Franklin, and many more.
Due to his incredible work, Combs was awarded ASCAP’s Songwriter of the Year in 1996. That’s only the start of Puff Daddy’s accomplishments, though.
In 1997, after the untimely death of his friend, Biggie Smalls, Combs released his tribute song to the fellow iconic rapper, “I’ll Be Missing You,” alongside Faith Evans and the R&B group 112.
Received warmly by the fans, the single topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 11 weeks. Combs album No Way Out (1997) reached platinum and sold an astonishing 3.4 million copies in the U.S.
The resounding success of his single and album earned Combs two Grammy awards for Best Rap Performance and Album.
The Case of Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura
In November 2023, the music industry was shaken when model and singer Cassandra “Cassie” Ventura filed a $30 million civil lawsuit against the Harlem-born rapper.
Ventura, who once dated Combs, was allegedly raped multiple times and physically abused during their decade-long relationship.
The ex-couple settled the lawsuit quickly, but not before footage of the alleged abuse came to light. In a video acquired by CNN, Combs was seen grabbing, shoving, kicking, and dragging Ventura inside a hotel.
The rapper has since offered an apology to Ventura. “My behavior on that video is inexcusable. I take full responsibility for my actions in that video,” Combs stated in a now-deleted Instagram post.
“We have decided to resolve this matter amicably. I wish Cassie and her family all the best. Love,” Combs later said after the settlement with Ventura’s legal team.
Sean Combs Faces Multiple Counts of Federal Charges
Cassandra Ventura’s lawsuit, however, was only the beginning. Fast forward to 2024, and the career of the hip-hop icon lies on the verge of collapse.
In a case filed in New York, Sean “Diddy” Combs was indicted for multiple counts of federal charges, including rape, sex trafficking by coercion, and racketeering, some dating back to the ‘90s.
Due to the series of cases against Combs, his mansion in L.A., which he used for his notorious parties, was raided by the police in March. There, the authorities found supplies used in orgies, drugs, and over a thousand baby oil bottles.
On October 15, 2024, another victim named Ashley Parham filed another suit against Combs and 18 other individuals for allegedly “violently” gang-raping Parham in 2018. She also reported being offered money by the rapper to keep her quiet.
While the Bad Boy Records founder denied any of the accusations, he was arrested in September and has been since in federal custody and awaiting trial.
“Let me be obvious: I did not do any of the alleged awful things. I will fight for my name, my family, and the truth,” Combs declared in an interview. The court has since denied two bail proposals from the rapper’s team.
How Much Is Sean Combs Worth?
Celebrity Net Worth estimates Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs’ net worth in 2024 to be around $600 million. His immense wealth came from his massive success in the music industry and several entrepreneurial endeavors.
Some of his most notable business ventures include founding Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993, establishing the Sean John clothing line in 1998, and launching the cable network Revolt in 2013.
Final Thoughts
At 54, three-time Grammy-winner Sean “Diddy” Combs’ life has been a series of success after success, dominating the hip-hop scene for decades.
However, these recent years have proven to be some of the rapper mogul’s most challenging yet, with multiple lawsuits taking his career to a sour turn.
That’s everything about Sean Combs for now! Be sure to tap that bookmark button for more.