The Life and Times of P Diddy

Broadcast:
10pm - 30/09/06

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"When Biggie passed it was an empty time for me. Everything in life was empty. Even when I was smiling it wasn’t a real smile." - P Diddy

"Meeting P Diddy was a BIG moment for me. He’s someone I looked up to for his hustling skills. Getting a chance to pick his brains was a blessing." - Rodney P

:: P Diddy was born in Harlem, New York on November 4 1970.

:: Legend has it that he earned his nickname at the school. As a member of the school football team, he apparently "puffed" out his chest to make himself look stronger than he actually was - hence the name 'Puffy'.

:: In 1988 P Diddy entered Howard University where he started out promoting house parties and campus concerts. Later he succeeded in convincing Andre Harrell - head of Uptown Records in New York - to give him an internship at the label.

:: Bad Boy Records was formed in 1994 with just two artists - former EPMD roadie Craig Mack and friend and collaborator Notorious B.I.G.

:: Although he did well at Uptown, he was eventually fired by mentor Andre Harell for getting too big for his boots. He negotiated a $15 million deal to relocate Bad Boy Entertainment to Arista Records.

:: P Diddy has been instrumental in the careers of Jodeci, Notorious B.I.G, Faith Evans, Mary J Blige, Supercat, 112, Mase, Total, Cassie, Cherri Dennis and has worked with everyone from Usher, Mariah Carey and Kanye West to Nicole Scherzinger (Pussy Cat Dolls), David Bowie and Britney Spears.

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The Life and Times of:
:: Ice Cube
:: Busta Rhymes
:: Jermaine Dupri