Sean “Diddy” Combs founded Bad Boy Records in 1993. The label became a hallmark of Hip-Hop and R&B music throughout the mid-1990s and has since produced many platinum albums and hit songs in its 30-year existence. Bad Boy Records rose to prominence following the success of The Notorious B.I.G. and its East Coast vs. West Coast feud with Death Row Records and Suge Knight. After Biggie’s death, Bad Boy still featured many legendary artists, and the label has maintained relevancy through multiple resurgences and iterations over the past 20 years. Here’s a look at some of the most prominent Bad Boy artists ever.
10. Yung Joc
Atlanta rapper Yung Joc’s signing to Bad Boy Records played a large role in the label’s resurgence in the mid-2000s. With the label looking for a new identity after losing many of its top acts, Diddy turned to the South and created “Bad Boy South” following the signing of 8Ball & MJG. Yung Joc rose to fame in the Spring of 2005 with his hit song “It’s Going Down.” As a result of its success, Joc inked a multi-million dollar deal with Bad Boy.
In 2006, Bad Boy released Joc’s debut album New Jock City. The album sold 150,000 copies in its first week and debuted at No. 3 on the US Billboard 200. Along with “It’s Going Down,” the second single on the album, “I Know U See It,” reached No. 17 on the Billboard Hot 100. Following New Joc City’s success, Joc made the Forbes‘ Richest Rapper list in 2006 after grossing approximately $10 million in that year. In 2007, Joc was featured on T-Pain’s No. 1 hit single “Buy U a Drank,” and his second album Hustlenomics debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard 200.
9. French Montana
French Montana garnered interest from Diddy after the release of his song “Shot Caller,” which referenced Puff’s 1997 hit “It’s All About the Benjamins.” In 2012, Montana chose to sign with Bad Boy Records over other offers from labels such as Roc Nation, GOOD Music, and Maybach Music Group. Upon signing to Bad Boy, French would release the first single from his album, “Pop That” featuring Rick Ross, Drake, and Lil Wayne.
Montana has since released three albums under the Bad Boy label, all certified gold by the RIAA. His debut album with the label in 2013, Excuse My French, featured the hit singles “Pop That” and “Ain’t Worried About Nothin’.” In 2017, Montana released Jungle Rules which features the single “Unforgettable” with Swae Lee. “Unforgettable” peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and is certified diamond. In 2019, French released his third album of the decade, Montana, which hosts “No Stylist” featuring Drake.
8. Shyne
While working on Biggie’s first posthumous album, DJ Clark Kent discovered Shyne while he freestyled in a barbershop in Brooklyn. Kent soon took Shyne to Bad Boy Studios where Diddy signed him on the spot. Shyne reportedly received millions of dollars, three cars of his choice, and two homes after signing. Just before releasing his debut album in 1999, Shyne and Diddy were involved in a shooting at a nightclub which led to a 10-year prison sentence for Shyne.
Despite this, while incarcerated, Shyne released his self-titled album in September of 2000. The record debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s charts and sold over 900,000 copies. While still incarcerated, Shyne signed a $3 million deal with Def Jam Records and released a second album, Godfather Buried Alive. The project was partially recorded over a prison phone. Regardless of this, the album sold 434,000 copies. Shyne is now a politician in Belize and the leader of the Belize United Democratic Party.
7. Total
Female R&B trio Total was one of the signature acts of Bad Boy Records during the mid-1990s. The group had many hit singles, including “Kissin’ You” and “Can’t You See” featuring The Notorious B.I.G. “What About Us?” and “Trippin’” featured Missy Elliott. Their debut self-titled album, released in 1996, peaked at No. 23 on the Billboard 200 and is also certified platinum. Their second album, Kima, Keisha, and Pam, is certified gold.
Along with their own in-group success, Total also contributed vocals to many other Bad Boy label mates’ songs. Ma$e featured Total on his hit song “What You Want.” While they are not officially credited, the group also sang the chorus on Biggie’s hit song “Hypnotize.” Perhaps their most notable feature, however, is their chorus on Biggie’s legendary track, “Juicy.” The hook on “Juicy” also marked Total’s first musical appearance.
6. The LOX
The LOX is a Hip-Hop group from Yonkers, New York, composed of Styles P, Jadakiss, and Sheek Louch. The group signed to Bad Boy Records in 1996 after Mary J. Blige gave their demo tape to Diddy. Though the group formed in 1994, they gained mainstream buzz after signing to Bad Boy with their release of their first single, “Well, Well, Well.”
In 1997, The LOX gained national exposure for collaborating with Diddy on “It’s All About the Benjamins.” The group then released their multi-platinum tribute to The Notorious B.I.G., ‘We’ll Always Love Big Poppa.” Along with this, The LOX featured on Mariah Carey’s “Honey” and Jennifer Lopez’s “Jenny from the Block.” The group then dropped their debut album, Money, Power, & Respect, to huge success as it became certified platinum.
In 1999, The trio attempted to get out of their Bad Boy contract in favor of signing with the Ruff Ryders. However, a legal battle ensued that took years to resolve. There were also stories about tensions between the group and diddy escalating. Regardless of this, the trio continued their success as both a group and as individual acts, and many fans regard them as one of the best rap groups of all time. They’ve since reflected on their beef with Diddy and put it behind them.
5. 112
R&B group 112 signed to Bad Boy Records and succeeded greatly in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Diddy signed the group after an audition at Atlanta’s 112 nightclub, which led to the group’s name. 112 had various hits during their time with Bad Boy, including “Only You” featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and “Anywhere.” The group’s best-known song was the Grammy-nominated single “Peaches & Cream,” which peaked at No. 4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and stayed in the Top 40 for 25 weeks.
Along with this, the group won a Grammy in 1997 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for their performance on Diddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You,” which also featured Faith Evans. The group left Bad Boy Records in 2002 after feeling they had matured professionally and personally. The group signed with Def Jam Records and released another platinum album, Pleasure & Pain, in 2005.
4. Ma$e
After Biggie’s death, Ma$e became the top artist for Bad Boys Records. In 1997 and 1998, Ma$e recorded five platinum singles and five US No. 1 singles, including “Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down,” “Mo Money More Problems,” “Been Around the World,” “Feel So Good,” “What You Want,” and “Lookin’ At Me.” Ma$e’s first album, Harlem World, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and has since reached 4x platinum status in the US.
After the release of his second album Double Up Ma$e announced his retirement from music to pursue a “calling from God.” During this time, Ma$e became an ordained minister. He has had multiple musical comebacks since retirement and is still a practicing pastor.
3. Faith Evans
Faith Evans was the first female artist to sign with Bad Boy Records in 1994. Before releasing her debut album, Evans wrote and provided background vocals to Usher and Mary J. Blige. In 1995, Evans released her first studio album, Faith, to critical acclaim. The album is certified platinum and features hits such as “You Used to Love Me” and “Soon as I Get Home.” In addition to her musical success, Evans also rose in popularity after marrying The Notorious B.I.G. in 1994.
After her husband was murdered in 1997, Evans helped produce the tribute song “I’ll Be Missing You” with Diddy and 112. The song was a worldwide hit and won a Grammy in 1997. In 1998, Evans received two Grammy nominations for her collaboration with Whitney Houston and Kelly Price on “Heartbreak Hotel.” Faith also received two other platinum certifications for her 1998 release Keep the Faith and her 2001 album Faithfully. As of today, Faith Evans has sold over 20 million records worldwide.
2. Craig Mack
Craig Mack signed to Bad Boy Records in 1993 and was the first rapper to release music under the Bad Boy label. Mack gained national fame with his 1994 single “Flava in Ya Ear.” The single is certified platinum and was nominated for a Grammy in 1995 for Best Rap Solo Performance. The song’s remix was also the breakout appearance for The Notorious B.I.G. and featured the first solo performance from Busta Rhymes.
In 1994, Mack released his debut album, Project: Funk da World. Despite critical acclaim and commercial success, Biggie’s debut album, Ready to Die, overshadowed its release. Mack only delivered one project after this; however, his initial success was critical to Bad Boy’s reputation. The visibility of “Flava in Ya Ear” directly impacted Biggie’s and Bad Boy’s success in the following years.
1. The Notorious B.I.G.
The Notorious B.I.G., also known as Biggie, is regarded as arguably one of the greatest rappers ever. Biggie’s success when signed to Bad Boy Records propelled the label to new heights and established them as the premier rap collective on the East Coast. Biggie’s debut album Ready to Die in 1994 is critically heralded as one of the greatest rap albums of all time. As of April 2018, Ready to Die is certified 6x platinum.
Bad Boy released Biggie’s second album, Life After Death, just two weeks after his death in 1997. The posthumous album reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and was certified diamond. Media outlets such as Rolling Stone, Billboard, and The Source have named Biggie a rap G.O.A.T. The late MC was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2020. Without Biggie, it is difficult to guess what might have become of Bad Boy Records, as Biggie’s image is, still to this day, synonymous with the label.
If not for Biggie’s success in the mid-1990s, Bad Boy Records would not have grown into the decade-spanning label it is today. The Notorious B.I.G. is most definitely the biggest artist of Bad Boy Records and will be until the end of time.