Combs prioritizes music over business to create new album
If Sean “Diddy”
Combs had a choice, the self-proclaimed serial entrepreneur would be hunkered down in a recording studio rather than running his many successful businesses.
But for more than a decade, Diddy put creating albums on hold. He credits a late-night dream a couple years ago with waking him up from his musical slumber.
“I stepped away for a little bit, went through a lot of things in life, and then got that call one day from God. She was like,
‘It’s time,’ ” he recalled in a recent interview.
The three-time Grammy winner said the soft voice he heard instantly motivated him to refocus his attention back to making his own music again.
Diddy recently released his new record, “The Love Album — Off the Grid.”
His fifth studio project features nearly 30 guests, including Mary J. Blige, Justin Bieber, H.E.R., Babyface, John Legend, Busta Rhymes, Summer Walker, Teyana Taylor, Coco Jones and Jazmine Sullivan. The album’s lead single “Another One of
Me” features the Weeknd, French Montana and 21 Savage.
It’s his first solo studio project since his 2006 chart-topping “Press Play,” which had two top 10 hit singles in “Last Night” with Keyshia Cole and “Come to Me” featuring Nicole Scherzinger.
After his epiphany, Diddy built a recording studio at his home and started to work on music.
“It was God as a woman. … And I was like, ‘It’s time,’ ” he said, describing his dream.
“I was asking myself the question: ‘If you had to do one thing for the rest of your life, what would you do?’ And that would be to make music.
“‘What would bring you joy?’ That would be music.
“‘What has helped you to have a positive effect on the world?’ That would be music. But I wasn’t doing music. From that second on, I jumped headfirst into this project.”
But first, he had to offload his business responsibilities. Diddy had lots to delegate: He’s the head of his label Bad Boy Records, Revolt TV focusing on music, the fashion clothing line Sean John, and Empower Global, a curated marketplace featuring Black-owned brands.
Diddy recently reassigned his Bad Boy publishing rights back to artists and songwriters. The move came after some over the years criticized him for mistreating his artists.
“I am passionate about driving progress in all industries,” he said. “If I speak about change, I am committed to being an active participant in that change. Reassigning the publishing was simply the right thing to do.”
He also recently donated $1 million each to the Jackson State University football team and the Earn Your Leisure fund, which is expected to be used toward financial literacy investments.
“I love being a businessman. That’s my job. Making music is my love,” said Diddy.
Diddy said the most rewarding part during the recording process was working with all the artists, producers and writers. He imagined how Motown Records founder Berry Gordy must’ve felt when stars like the Temptations and Marvin Gaye recorded at the Hitsville U.S.A. studio back in the day.
“I would take over the studio,” he said. “Everybody was calling to be a part of the ‘Love Album.’ Nobody made me wait more than 30 seconds for an answer if they wanted to do it. It was all authentic. I thank God, nobody told me ‘No.’ ”
Diddy said he wanted to tell a story on the album that mirrored his fun-filled love life.
“It was important to make an album that people can make love to, baby-making music, for them to dance and go off the grid for 48 hours,” he said. “Turn off your phone and lock in with a significant other. Laugh, dance, cry, make love, eat, chill, and do it all over again. That’s important.”