By: SoundSlam
Published: Oct. 17, 2006 - Chicago, IL

Puff Daddy, Puffy, P. Diddy, Diddy, regardless of the name, Sean Combs has forever left his imprint in Hip Hop, as well as America's popular culture. Diddy's work ethic, music sense, and business savvy, have made him an icon. Many people will agree he's not the best rapper, he's not the best writer, he's not the best producer, but he is a legend.

Before Kanye West, Diddy was the original college dropout when he left behind a business degree from Howard University to pursue a career in music. His 'do whatever it takes attitude' landed him a position with Uptown records where he started as an intern and ended up building the careers of Mary J. Blige, and Jodeci. With the launch of his own Bad Boy Records, Diddy was on his way to stardom. He blazed a trail, and set an example for many to follow. Diddy's contributions to Hip Hop are unforgettable for two reasons. One, he discovered and showcased the Notorious B.I.G., an emcee who perhaps best symbolizes Hip Hop at its best and worst. And also popularized the trend of artists owning their own labels, and starting their own businesses.

It's said that Diddy could sense the kind of impact that the Notorious B.I.G. was capable of making. Indeed, the Notorious B.I.G. was larger than life on multiple levels. On one hand, B.I.G. was a phenomenal lyricist, and artist. He had the ability to capture the harsh realities of his life, and put them on record with a ferocity that few could censure, and even fewer could mimic. B.I.G. also represents the ugliness, and irresponsibility of Hip Hop artists when their words and actions on records go too far, and reality gets bent and twisted out of shape. He was simultaneously at the pinnacle of Hip Hop in a creative and aesthetic sense, and involved in one of its darkest moments and deadliest feuds. Diddy was at his side for both.

As an entrepreneur Diddy picked up where Russell Simmons left off and sketched a blueprint for others to follow. You can find his fingerprints on the music and business careers of Kanye West, Jay-Z, Jermaine Dupri, Pharrell, and other rappers/producers turned fashion designers/restaurant owners. The man has run the city, challenged youth to vote or die, made three bands, received the key to Chicago, had his own day in two states, dated Jennifer Lopez, opened a restaurant, launched a cologne, starred in a Broadway play, and still found some time to make lasting hits like "Mo Money, Mo' Problems," "Hypnotize," and "Been Around The World." He has been the butt of jokes about shiny suits, big teeth, and producers vying for too much attention, and laughed along with everybody. Even if you do not like the music, you have to respect Diddy's career. I know of at least three different times when Bad Boy was supposedly finished, yet it's still around.

Press Play will hits stores ten years after Diddy's debut No Way Out. Think about that for a second. Ten years! In the music business that's a lifetime. We've seen countless artists come and go over that time. We've seen stars burn out and fade away, while Diddy's star is still shinning. And yes, like I wrote earlier, nobody regards him as the best lyricist, rapper, or songwriter, which only makes the length and breadth of his career more impressive. Many thought he would be a flash in the pan, a memory symbolized by a shiny suit found in a 1997 time capsule. He has managed to build an empire, and it looks like we will need a bigger time capsule.

Respect.