P. Diddy

In common with many in his industry, he also bears the mantle of "actor-rapper"; he has appeared as a parody of a drug dealer in Made, he played the role of Walter Lee Younger in the 2004 Broadway revival of A Raisin in the Sun, and starred with Halle Berry and Billy Bob Thornton in the film Monster's Ball. They brought out a greatest hits package: Hits and organised a music festival: Auto (held at Rotherham's Magna centre) where they played their last gig before embarking on a temporary hiatus from the music industry. He also owns the restaurant chain Justin's (named after his son). In 2002 the band announced they were leaving their label, Island. However, his clothes line also brought him criticism when it was revealed that its Honduras-based factories violated Honduran labor laws . Produced by Scott Walker, it was a much happier and more popular album than Hardcore. His urban clothing line, Sean John has been nominated for the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America (CFDA) Award for Menswear Designer of the Year, every year since 2000. Pulp then spent a few years in the wilderness before reappearing in 2001 with a new album, We Love Life, symbolising another new phase in Cocker and Pulp's development.

In the year 2002, he featured at #12 on Fortune magazine's "40 Richest People Under 40" list. Pulp also collaborated with Patrick Doyle on the song "Like A Friend" for the soundtrack to the movie Great Expectations. Diddy is one of the most entrepreneurial musicians in the industry. Many of the fans who had so enjoyed the happier, more amusing and light-hearted approach of Different Class were somewhat turned off by the darker tone of the new record. P. The fallout of all of this, and the ensuing depression induced by finding the one thing he'd been after all his life (fame) and then deciding that it wasn't really up to much, was the subject matter of the follow-up album This Is Hardcore: a trawl through the seedy world of Soho, which during its more navel-gazing, depressed-singer-in-a-hotel-room moments stylistically approached Pink Floyd's The Wall. He appeared on the March 10, 2004 episode of The Oprah Winfrey Show to discuss the marathon. Cocker was also having difficulty with the celebrity lifestyle, resulting in the breakup of a long-term relationship.

Diddy ran the New York marathon and raised $2,000,000 for the educational system for the children of New York. It was during this period of intense fame that long time member and major innovator in the band's sound, Russell Senior, decided to call it a day to spend time with his family (and out of the tabloid press). In 2003, P. This incident propelled Cocker into even greater notoriety in the UK, and having spent the last 15 years trying to be famous, he grabbed the attention with both hands. The six finalists have to come up with their name, CD and video. But domestic attention was never really equaled in the rest of the world, and if Pulp are known beyond the UK at all it is perhaps more likely the result of Cocker's antics at the infamous 1996 Brit Awards, when he invaded the stage in protest during Michael Jackson's performance (for which he spent the night in the cells on the ungrounded charge of having injured some of the children that Jackson was "healing"). In it, contestants compete to be in a new group on Bad Boy Records. saw the opportunity to steal the crown, and "Common People" was arguably the stand-out single of the year, if not the decade.

Later in 2002, he made his own reality show on MTV called Making the Band 2, the sequel to the first Making the Band. While Blur and Oasis were fighting it out over which band were the true kings of Britpop, Jarvis Cocker and co. As a result, Bad Boy Records was formed as an independent record company. This album, with its disco-infused pop-rock, and the trademark sordid yet witty lyrics about sexual encounters and working class life, is for most fans what Pulp are about. Diddy filed a restraining order to keep them aboard. 1995 saw the peak of Pulp's fame, with the release of their No.2 UK Hit single "Common People", their much loved performance at the Glastonbury festival (standing in for the Stone Roses at the last minute) and their Mercury award winning album Different Class (the first album featuring Pulp fan-club president Mark Webber, who became a permanent member of the band on guitar and keyboards). Faith Evans left the label, and 112 almost did, though P. This sudden increase in popularity was certainly helped by the massive media interest in a new wave of Britpop ushered by the likes of Suede and Blur, the latter of which Pulp supported on a US tour in 1994.

This was followed by a serious set-back for Bad Boy Records when Arista Records stopped distributing Bad Boy releases. These were followed by the Ed Buller produced album His 'n' Hers which reached No.9 in the UK charts, and which, sonically, was not a million miles away from Suede. A collaboration with David Bowie appeared on the soundtrack to Training Day, while Puffy began working with Britney Spears and *N Sync. Island Records then released the singles "Do You Remember the First Time" and "Lipgloss", to modest chart success. After yet more legal problems stemming from an accusation of reckless driving by the Miami police, Puffy began working with a series of unusual (for him) artists. The three singles released on Gift were later compiled on the album Intro which was released when they were signed up by Island Records. Diddy released a much-delayed gospel album, Thank You, as well as a solo hip hop LP, The Saga Continues. Fire attempted to capitalise on this by finally releasing Separations.

In spite of continuing legal problems, P. Frustrated that Separations still hadn't been released, Pulp signed to Warp Records imprint Gift Records in 1992. Diddy tried to reinvent his image, but was once again in court facing assault charges from a Michigan television host, and then was arrested for driving on a suspended license in Florida. In the meantime, however, in 1991, a 12" recording - "My Legendary Girlfriend" became music periodical The NME's single of the week, and it was this that ushered Pulp's first steps towards fame. P. Like Freaks, its release was delayed, to an extent lessening the potential impact. Diddy". This album, Separations, was a progression of the style of Freaks, with Leonard Cohen-esque ballads on side one and a more disco / Acid House infused track-listing on side two.

With the media circus over, Puffy changed his stage name to "P. They recorded another album for Fire after a separate deal fell through. Puffy was soon acquitted of all charges relating to the shooting incident, followed almost immediately by a break-up with Lopez. The fold was short-lived however, and a new line-up, consisting of Cocker, Senior, Candida Doyle, Nick Banks (drums) and Steve Mackey (bass) emerged. Puffy then launched his own lawsuit against a writer who did not follow through on an alleged agreement to help write his autobiography. This gave Cocker ample time to consider his direction, and when, later, Freaks failed to be a success, Pulp folded, with Jarvis going off to London to study film. A talent agency then sued Puffy for unfair competition, as did a woman who rented an apartment owned by Puffy; she claimed he refused to rid the house of vermin. It was during this mid-80s period that Cocker fell out of a window while trying to impress a girl, and ended up in hospital, and temporarily wheelchair-bound.

Cochran Jr. It is either loved or hated by fans, and might be considered the antithesis of the happy and optimistic It. His attorney was Johnnie L. Its release ended up being delayed for a year, and the record was not well received. With a gag order in place, the highly-publicized trial began. These releases were followed by an album, Freaks in 1986, recorded in one week due to pressure from the label. His driver and the club owner also sued before the shooting charges even made it to trial. These tracks were much darker in tone than those on It, and often veered towards the likes of The Fall.

One was from a girl who claimed to have been mentally scarred at a party ten years before, and another was for sampling a phone conversation without permission. Following her first performance with the band, they were signed to a label called Fire Records, and began to record a number of singles that were later released as the compilation album Masters of the Universe. Before the trial was over, Puffy found himself in court on numerous civil charges. Having survived a number of ill-fated gigs, Allcard left to be replaced on keyboards by Doyle's sister Candida. With bribery charges added to the bill, Puffy was being attacked in the tabloids on a near daily basis. The three of them established a new, more experimental, artier, and noisier direction for Pulp, and were subsequently augmented by Peter Mansell (bass) and Tim Allcard (keyboards, saxophone, poetry). Puffy was indicted after a huge blow to his case; his driver claimed that Puffy had tried to bribe him into taking the weapon after the shooting. He was all set to throw the towel in and go to university, when he decided to hold a practice with Russell Senior (violin, guitar, vocals) and Magnus Doyle (drums).

After a police investigation, Puffy and fellow rapper Shyne were arrested for weapons violations and other charges. But fame was still not knocking, and Cocker was becoming unhappy with his chosen musical direction, especially after being forced to cut a single in the style of the then prevalent pop-group Wham!. In December 1999, Puffy and his then-girlfriend, Jennifer Lopez, were at Club New York, a midtown Manhattan nightclub, when gunfire broke out. This largely consisted of jangly, happy-go-lucky, folkish, romantic pop tunes, and was a change of direction from the Peel Sessions. This was followed by a yet more negative publicity as The Lox left Bad Boy Records, and a recording session with Lil' Kim and Lil' Cease was interrupted by gunfire. They managed to get enough local backing to record a mini-album in late 1982 entitled It. Stoute's refusal led to an argument and Puffy's arrest for assault. A new set of musicians was gathered: Simon Hinkler (who later joined The Mission and produced All About Eve), David Hinkler, Wayne Furness, Peter Boam, Gary Wilson, and Cocker's sister, Saskia.

Though Puffy had willingly filmed the video earlier that year, he demanded that the images be removed. Despite the exposure on national radio, success was not forthcoming, and most of the then line-up left for university. Stoute was the manager for Nas, whose video for "Hate Me Now" featured Puffy being crucified. Amazingly they landed a Peel Session, and the tracks they recorded were pretty much in the typical Sheffield sound of the time (cf. Human League, Comsat Angels) - sort of electronic new wave. On April 15, 1999, Puffy was accused of assaulting Steve Stoute of Interscope Records. They played their first proper gig at Rotherham Arts Centre in July 1980, and made a demo tape the following year which they gave to the DJ John Peel. Puffy's follow-up was 1999's failed Forever, which was a commercial failure and no more well-reviewed than No Way Out. The first line-up was Cocker, David Lockwood (musician), Mark Swift and Peter Dalton, though this soon disintegrated into a fairly un-set membership of Cocker and whoever else was around at the time.

"I'll Be Missing You" won a Grammy for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, while No Way Out won Best Rap Album. They are most famous in the UK, where their blend of disco-influenced pop-rock coupled with the amusing down-to-Earth kitchen-sink lyrics of lanky, rubber-limbed front-man Cocker, saw them become popular during the mid 1990s. The song's video starred many celebrities, such as Wyclef Jean, Quincy Jones, and Puff Daddy's future love interest, Jennifer Lopez. They were originally known as "Arabacus Pulp", but this was soon shortened. and had a popular rock remix, which was worked on by Rob Zombie and the Foo Fighters' Dave Grohl, among others; and "Been Around The World," a song that featured Puffy's labelmate, Mase, and the late Notorious B.I.G., and was probably best remembered for having sampled David Bowie's "Let's Dance" and Lisa Stansfield's "All Around The World".
The pop group Pulp were formed in Sheffield, England, in 1978 by then 15-year-old school-boy Jarvis Cocker (vocals, guitar). The album also produced the hit singles "It's All About The Benjamins," which featured Lil Kim, The Lox and The Notorious B.I.G. Mark Sturdy, Truth & Beauty: The Story of Pulp (Omnibus Press, 2003) - comprehensive biography.

Both singles were successful, though "I'll Be Missing You" (a tribute to Biggie with guests Faith Evans and 112) was heavily criticized for sampling The Police's "Every Breath You Take" and adding little. Puff Daddy, plus various labelmates known as the Family, released No Way Out, an LP, in 1998. April 2002 "Bad Cover Version" #27. Puff Daddy began his own career in 1997, releasing "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", followed by "I'll Be Missing You". October 2001 "Sunrise/The Trees" #23. Biggie's second album, Life After Death, was a huge posthumous success. September 1998 "Party Hard" #29. Both cases remain unsolved. June 1998 "A Little Soul" #22.

was also murdered. March 1998 "This is Hardcore" #12. Six months later, in March of 1997, the Notorious B.I.G. November 1997 "Help the Aged" #8. Shakur was murdered by unknown persons in 1996. April 1996 "Something Changed" #10. were allied against Tupac Shakur and Suge Knight, trading insults in songs and interviews during the mid 1990s. December 1995 "Disco 2000" #7.

Puffy and Notorious B.I.G. October 1995 "Mis-Shapes/Sorted for E's and Wizz" #2. Mase and The Lox soon joined Bad Boy, just as a widely publicized rivalry with the West Coast's Death Row Records. June 1995 "Common People" #2. Puff Daddy, as he was then known, began signing more acts to Bad Boy, including Faith Evans, 112 and Total, as well as producing for Lil' Kim, TLC, Mariah Carey, Boyz II Men, SWV, Aretha Franklin and others. June 1994 "The Sisters EP" (Babies / Your Sister's Clothes / Seconds / His 'n' Hers) #19. Both Mack and Biggie quickly released hit singles, followed by similarly successful LPs, particularly B.I.G.'s Ready to Die. April 1994 "Do You Remember the First Time" #33.

Combs set up his own label, Bad Boy Records, and soon signed Craig Mack and the Notorious B.I.G.. November 1993 "Lipgloss" #50. Blige; 1992), Blue Funk (Heavy D & the Boyz; 1992) before being fired in 1993. Hits - greatest hits compilation (2002) #71 UK. Only a few months later, Combs was an A&R executive, and helped produce Father's Day (Father MC; 1990), What's the 411? (Mary J. Countdown 1992-1983 (1996) #10 UK. before becoming an intern at Uptown Records. Masters of the Universe - non-album singles compilation (1994).

Originally from Harlem, New York City, then living in a middle class suburb, Combs began attending Howard University in Washington, D.C. Intro - non-album singles compilation (1993). Diddy's own music career, and to a lesser extent, his production, has been criticized as watered-down and overly commercialized for a mainstream market, as well as an over-reliance on obvious and lengthy sampling for most of his hit songs. We Love Life (2001) #6 UK. P. This Is Hardcore (1997) #1 UK, #114 US. Blige, Jodeci, Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, 112 and Craig Mack. Different Class (1995) #1 UK.

Diddy first skyrocketed to fame, signing Father MC, Mary J. His 'n' Hers (1994) #9 UK. P. Separations (1991). He is the founder of Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the driving forces in hip hop in the mid to late 1990s. Freaks (1986). Diddy, Puff Daddy, Sean "Puffy" Combs) is an African-American record producer, CEO, and rapper. It (1983).

Sean John Combs (born November 4, 1969 aka P.