When word got out about P Diddy readying himself to re-enter the music industry with a new venture, those who know, know waited with bated breath—especially when it was revealed that it would be an R&B label. Who gonna front on the legendary recordings he’s had his hands in with Mary J Blige, Jodeci, 112, Faith Evans, Carl Thomas, Total, and—if you remember—Gina Thompson?
Making the anticipated return to music, Combs announced the launch of Love Records, an all-R&B record label, that adds a new music imprint to his portfolio and builds on the legendary legacy of Bad Boy Entertainment.
After three decades of entrepreneurial success across his renowned brands and a historic last year, including a landmark acquisition leading to becoming the largest minority-owned, vertically integrated multi-state operator in the cannabis industry, Sean “Diddy” Combs announced the rebranding of his parent company from Combs Enterprises to Combs Global.
The announcement marked the global expansion of his portfolio of businesses that have represented dominance in music, entertainment, fashion, spirits, and media/television.
Combs Global started with Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs Spirits (Cîroc Vodka, DeLeón Tequila), AQUAhydrate, REVOLT MEDIA, Sean John, Capital Preparatory Charter Schools, and the Sean Combs Foundation. Since then, it has expanded to include new business units and ventures such as Empower Global (formally Shop Circulate), Our Fair Share, Love Records, and into cannabis. Combs Global is entering a new chapter with a distinct vision and his stride won’t be broken.
“Combs Global represents the next chapter in my journey as a business leader and a bigger vision to build the largest portfolio of leading Black-owned brands in the world,” said Combs. “I’ve enlisted world-class teams of top executives, specialists, and strategic partners to bring this new dream to life and put us in the best position to keep making history while leading another 30 years of dominance across industries.”
This past year, Combs expanded the Combs Global portfolio with the acquisition of the Nile List, his $2 million investment in creator platform REC Philly, and the historic $185 million acquisition of key markets and assets from leading cannabis company CRESCO Labs. Combs also grew his Capital Preparatory charter schools to include campuses in the Bronx, New York, and Hartford, Connecticut.
The launch of Combs Global included a complete rebranding of the website, social channels, and brand communications, ushering in an exciting new era for the company. The announcement of the new visual identity coincides with plans to take the company and its business units international. With the 30th anniversary of Bad Boy Entertainment, 15th anniversary of Combs’s partnership with Diageo, and 10th anniversary of REVOLT, Combs will continue setting the standard as one of the most successful and innovative entrepreneurs of all-time.
If you’re thinking that 2023 will find Combs solely in briefcase mode, don’t get it twisted. At press time, Grammy Award-winning multiplatinum hip-hop luminaries the Roots and Live Nation Urban shared the details for the 2023 installment of “Roots Picnic.” Known for its complete musical and cultural immersion, the two-day festival will be back at the Mann in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia on Saturday and Sunday, June 3 and 4, 2023.
A special stand-up comedy performance from Dave Chappelle and the Roots will kick off the weekend at Wells Fargo Center on Friday, June 2. The announced headliners of the music portion are Diddy with the Roots delivering a set highlighted by decades of his definitive hits, and Lauryn Hill, who will co-headline and perform the entirety of »The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill »—a rare event—to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the seminal album’s release.
I’ll have much more information about the Roots Picnic throughout the year, but you might want to cop your tickets now!
Over and out. Holla next week. ’Til then, enjoy the nightlife.