Diddy

Diddy’s Reign: Best Bad Boy Records Hits

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Bad Boy Records is one of the most iconic labels of all time. Home to arguably the greatest rappers, The Notorious B.I.G., the New York label has racked up hits. In the late ’90s to mid-2000s, Bad Boy controlled the game. With artists like 112, Craig Mack, Mase, The LOX, and Faith Evans, Puff Daddy, as he was known back then, took the label to new heights.

In what is Diddy’s biggest song to date, “I’ll Be Missing You” recently garnered much attention.  Famed rockstar Sting was on Power 105.1’s The Breakfast Club in 2018, where he admitted that Diddy pays him $2,000 daily for sampling his song for the tribute track. Diddy sampled Police’s 1983 song, “Every Breath You Take.” After going viral, Puff returned to say he actually pays $5,000 per day but later admitted he was joking.

Regardless, Bad Boy Records’ catalog continues to dominate playlists. The label has been studied and dissected for decades, so here are our choices for the best records Bad Boy has released.

10. “Whoa!”- Black Rob 

”Whoa!” is one of those songs that you can’t forget. Black Rob easily made one of the best songs in the 2000s. The Harlem native dropped two albums under Bad Boy, Life Story, and The Black Rob Report. ”Whoa!” appeared on Life Story, a certified platinum album.

9. “Peaches & Cream” – 112

112 is one of the best groups R&B has seen. When you think of the group, “Peaches & Cream” instantly comes to mind. It was one of the biggest records of the 2000s. The song was nominated for a Grammy in 2002. ”Peaches & Cream” was up for the prestigious award in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal. That year, “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child took home the gramophone trophy.  ”Peaches & Cream” stayed in the Top 40 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for over six months.

8. “Hypnotize” – The Notorious B.I.G.

Known as one of the greatest Hip Hop songs of all time, “Hypnotize” was the last song we heard from Biggie. He was killed a week after releasing the track.  ”Hypnotize” landed in the No. 2 spot on the Billboard Hot 100. At the 1998 Grammys, Big was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance for the hit record.  ”Men in Black” by Will Smith won that category that year. The song reached international success as “Hypnotize” was the Brooklyn MC’s first Top 10 hit in the United Kingdom. It went 2x platinum in the U.K. and platinum in the United States.

7. “I’ll Be Missing You” – Puff Daddy ft. Faith Evans & 112 

This is easily Diddy’s best song. In “I’ll Be Missing You,” the Bad Boy founder reminisces on his late friend, The Notorious B.I.G. He grabs Faith Evans, Biggie’s wife, to sing the hook while 112 contributes vocals in the background. Diddy made a relatable song about losing someone he truly loved. We all can relate to death, making this song popular worldwide. Sauce Money reportedly wrote Diddy’s verses after Jay-Z turned it down.

”I’ll Be Missing You” won a Grammy in 1998 for Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. It also spent 11 weeks in the No. 1 spot, giving Diddy & Bad Boy another hit. As discussed earlier, Diddy said he paid Sting $5,000 daily royalties for the song, but ultimately that wasn’t true. 

6. “I Need A Girl (Part One)” – Puff Daddy ft. Loon & Usher

Diddy made a real heartbreak anthem with “I Need A Girl (Part One).” It was one of the best songs of the 2000s. During this time, he was going through a breakup with Jennifer Lopez. Diddy has been open about this time in his life as he was in a dark place after his split with the Maid in Manhattan actress. The third verse in the song is mostly about her. Usher nails the chorus while Loon delivers on his verse.

5. “One More Chance (Remix)”- The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Mary J. Blige & Faith Evans

Biggie made a smooth hit with “One More Chance (Remix).” The video was just as fun as the song, with many people making appearances. Big also had multiple people singing the chorus, even radio host Miss Jones. This song and video defined the ’90s as Big captivated the era’s sound, style, and music.  Another hit for Bad Boy as they were running the ’90s.

4. “Flava In Ya Ear (Remix)”-Craig Mack ft. The Notorious B.I.G., LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes

Craig Mack will always be remembered for “Flava In Ya Ear.”  He even scored a Grammy nomination for Best Rap Solo Performance in 1995.  The remix is what made people pay attention.  Craig Mack got on a track with three other heavyweights in Biggie, LL COOL J, and Busta Rhymes—and did his thing!  ”Flava In Ya Ear” is one of those songs you must mention when discussing ’90s Hip Hop.

3. “Big Poppa” – The Notorious B.I.G.

”I love it when you call me Big Poppa.” That line is one of the most infamous lyrics in Hip Hop. Though “Juicy” was a big hit, “Big Poppa” earned The Notorious B.I.G. a Grammy nomination. It lost Best Rap Solo Performance in 1996 to “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio. ”Big Poppa” was a popular song throughout the entertainment world. It was repeatedly sampled in movies, TV shows, and commercials. Once again, Big has one of the best songs on Bad Boy and one of the best in Hip Hop history.

2. “Mo Money Mo Problems” – The Notorious B.I.G. ft. Mase & Puff Daddy

”Mo Money, Mo Problems” is one of the biggest Hip Hop songs ever. The video is pretty iconic as well. The way they flipped Diana Ross’ “I’m Coming Out” can’t go unnoticed. ”Mo Money Mo Problems” was released after Biggie’s death, to which he set another record. He is the only artist in music history to have two No. 1 posthumous hits. The song received a Grammy nomination in 1998 for Best Rap Performance By a Duo or Group.

1. “Juicy” – The Notorious B.I.G.

An unforgettable track from The Notorious B.I.G. is still a favorite decades after its release. Bad Boy took off with Biggie, and “Juicy” was Big’s first official introduction to the mainstream world. After initially not wanting to do the record, Diddy assured him this would be life-changing.  And the rest is history!

Though Diddy founded Bad Boy, The Notorious B.I.G. carried the label on his shoulders. Without Big, there might not be a Bad Boy.  He’s the reason the label will forever be remembered. Let us know your favorite Bad Boy song in the comments.  

10 Biggest Bad Boy Records Artists of All Time

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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.

[WATCH] Snoop Dogg Says He Didn’t Like 2Pac’s Biggie Smalls Diss Track “Hit ‘Em Up”

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In an exclusive interview with Big Boy for the Untold Stories of Snoop Dogg, the Doggfather himself delved into the strained relationship between him and Death Row labelmate Tupac Shakur in the months leading up to his untimely demise in September 1996.

He says he and ‘Pac were on good terms the week before his death, but the public comments made about Puff Daddy and Biggie made things more complicated for the Long Beach newcomer.

“Man, I’d say a week before he died, we was best of friends. Two days before he died, I don’t think he liked me,” Snoop said. “Because we was in New York and shit had happened. New York n-ggas had shot at me and did all kinds of shit to me, just the worst shit you could think of, and I forgave ’em. Snoop added, “Then I went and did an interview and was asked how did I feel about Puffy and Biggie. I was like, ‘I like them n-ggas, I wanna do some music with ’em. And that just rubbed cuz the wrong way, like, ‘N-gga, fuck them n-ggas, them n-ggas tried to kill me. N-ggas shot at you, and you talking about you wanna do a song with them n-ggas?’”

Snoop

“Even when he played the video for me to ‘Hit ‘Em Up,’ even when he played ‘Hit ‘Em Up,’ the song, I didn’t like the song,” he said. “I didn’t like it. I didn’t like the shit. It wasn’t the shit to me. Like, you buying more problems, cuh. You buying problems. Gangstas is everywhere. They make ’em everywhere.”

See the entire interview above.

The post [WATCH] Snoop Dogg Says He Didn’t Like 2Pac’s Biggie Smalls Diss Track “Hit ‘Em Up” appeared first on The Source.

Bow Wow Speaks On Baby Mama Joie Chavis & Diddy Linking Up: “Certain Things Are Off Limits”

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It may seem as though celebrities have plenty of options at their disposal when it comes to dating. Really though, the truth is, they face more limits than anyone else. Aside from having to constantly question the intentions of others, many find their list of potential lovers cut in half when they begin to consider the friendships and potential collaborations that may be ruined in the name of love. Things like this are important to Bow Wow. He obviously felt some type of way after watching Diddy move in on his baby mama, Joie Chavis, following their split.

It’s now been a year and a half since the social media personality was seen on Sean Combs’ yacht. Cameras caught them sharing a smooch while relaxing on the boat in Italy. Chavis certainly had her cheeks on display both in and out of the water while rocking a tiny bikini. Recently, Bow Wow appeared on The Baller Alert Show, at which time he addressed the situation. He confirmed having had conversations with both the mother of two and the “I’ll Be Missing You” hitmaker after their kiss to express his hurt feelings.

Bow Wow Addresses Diddy and Joie Chavis’ Romance

“She knew better,” the Like Mike actor said of Chavis’ decision to link up with Diddy. “Me and her, we had our discussion about it, trust me.” While he was bothered by seeing his baby mama boating with the producer, Combs tapping her to appear alongside him in a music video was apparently less of a stressor for Bow Wow. “Me and dude, we definitely had our rep, but I’ll keep that between us. We handled it the way we was supposed to handle it.”

According to the 36-year-old, “There’s a conduct and code men go by and everyone knows certain things are off limits. Wives and baby mamas is just some shit that, you know, you steer clear from.” He went on to describe himself as something of “a savage,” but will only engage in that “f*ckery shit with n*ggas [he] doesn’t really give a f*ck about.” Watch Bow Wow’s full appearance on The Baller Alert Show below, and let us know if you think he’s out of line for feeling upset over his ex and Diddy in the comments.

Rapper’s Full Stint on Baller Alert

[Via]

Diddy Says He Was Joking About Paying Sting $5,000 A Day For Sampling His Song

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Diddy and Sting

Diddy revealed that he was only joking about paying Sting $5,000 every day for sampling his 1983 hit “Every Breath You Take” in 1997 for “I’ll Be Missing You.” Diddy also said they are good friends. Updated By: Chris Samuel (4/10/23 at 1:00 pm) Rap mogul Diddy claimed that he was joking about paying legendary singer […]

The post Diddy Says He Was Joking About Paying Sting $5,000 A Day For Sampling His Song appeared first on SOHH.com.

Diddy Gave Dj Khaled The ‘Flyest Of The Fly’ Golf Cart As A Surprise Gift

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Diddy treated his good buddy DJ Khaled to a surprise recently: a luxurious golf cart. Khaled thanked his friend for the gift by sharing a video on his Instagram feed of the moment he received it.

“If you gonna be the number one in golfing, we gotta make sure you’re number one in the golf cart, baby. Sh*t looks rich, sh*t looks healthy, looks like it fits my brother Khaled,” Diddy said.

“Let me be clear, Diddy just bought me a golf cart. He got me this as a gift,” Khaled adds in the clip.

Diddy explained more about the backstory behind why he gave Khaled a golf cart in his own Instagram post, noting that he saw just how hard his friend was working at the sport.

”I’m so proud of my brother @DJKhaled for all the work he’s putting in on the golf course,” Diddy captioned. “Enjoy my gift to you! I had to find the flyest of the fly for my brother! This ain’t no regular degular golf cart!”

“Thank you @diddy love brother beautiful gift !!!!!!! Grateful ! #LetsGoGolfing,” Khaled commented, once again expressing his sincere gratitude for the extravagant vehicle.

According to Billboard, Khaled is also reportedly filming a TV show about golfing. Diddy has also said that he “shot the pilot for Khaled’s new TV show,” giving some more insight to the duo’s relationship.

Check out DJ Khaled‘s new golf cart from Diddy above.

Diddy Denies Paying Sting $5K For “Missing You” Sample

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The business of samples can often be pricey. Artists like Danny Brown have admitted to being in the red after trying to clear records but if you’re Diddy, then chances are that you have all of the funds necessary to sample any song in the world. Still, it can be costly. Earlier this week, an old video surfaced from Sting’s interview on The Breakfast Club where he said that he gets paid $2,000 a day for Diddy’s “I’ll Be Missing You,” a tribute song to the Notorious B.I.G featuring Faith Evans and 112.

As the Internet reacted to the outrageous number that Diddy has to cough up for the rest of his life, the Bad Boy founder upped the ante. He said that he actually pays Sting over double what was mentioned on The Breakfast Club. “Nope. $5K a day,” he wrote before showing love to Sting. According to calculations, Diddy coughed up nearly $47M to Sting between the song’s release in 1997 and now. Ultimately, that doesn’t seem like it would be too much of an issue, given Puff’s billionaire status. 

Diddy Clarifies Sting’s Royalties

While people were left in shock by the potential $5K a day Diddy has to cough up, the “Gotta Move On” artist said that he was “just joking.” He took to Twitter where he explained that he was being “facetious” in response to the 2018 Breakfast Club clip. “I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history,” he said.

So far, Sting hasn’t corroborated these claims but it’s quite clear that he’s still getting paid. The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” has been sampled across many hip-hop records throughout history. Though “I’ll Be Missing You,” as Diddy stated, is one of the most recognizable songs ever, RZA also sampled the record on 2003’s “Seul Face Å Lui.” We’ll keep you posted if Sting ever replies. Check out Diddy’s tweet above and let us know your thoughts in the comments. 

No, Sting Did Not Charge Diddy $5K A Day For ‘I’ll Be Missing You,’ Says Diddy

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For years now, there’s been this rumor about Diddy and Sting. Diddy famously sampled The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” on the hit 1997 single “I’ll Be Missing You,” but the rumor goes he didn’t get proper permission for the sample. Therefore, Diddy apparently has to pay Sting $2,000 per day over the song.

Charlamagne Tha God asked Sting about this in a 2018 interview and Sting answered, “Yeah, for the rest of his life. If it’s on the radio, then it must be true!” A clip of that conversation circulated on Twitter recently and Diddy shared it, writing, “Nope. 5K a day. Love to my brother @OfficialSting!”

As far as the $5K claim, though, turns out Diddy was just messing around. In fact, the whole story at any dollar amount seems to be a fallacy.

On Twitter today (April 7), Diddy offered some clarification, writing, “I want y’all to understand I was joking! It’s called being Facetious! Me and @OfficialSting have been friends for a long time! He never charged me $3K or $5K a day for Missing You. He probably makes more than $5K a day from one of the biggest songs in history.”

So there we have it: “Every step I take / Every move I make / Every single day, every time I pray / I won’t be paying you.”

Consequence Almost Signed To Diddy Until Q-Tip Intervened

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Though Consequence serves as Kanye’s de facto spokesperson these days, he has a storied career that goes back decades. He made his debut in 1996 on A Tribe Called Quest’s Beats, Rhymes and Life before delivering his debut album, Don’t Quit Your Day Job! In 2007 through G.O.O.D Music. But, before then, there was a time when Diddy had a deal for him on the table. Even though he could’ve been on the same label as Biggie, Q-Tip intervened.

Cons recently sat down with Vlad TV where he discussed his dealings with ATCQ and the potential deal with Bad Boy. Though his appearance on Beats, Rhymes And Life admittedly changed the dynamic of the group, Q-Tip insisted on Consequence’s presence on the album. “I actually had a deal on the table with Puff,” he said, “I never got the paperwork because Q-Tip intercepted it and just said, ‘Yo, I’m putting you in the group.” He recalled, “I see you got a deal — good enough for me! Let’s go!’ But I did get a verbal interest from Puff during the B.I.G. and Mack campaign.”

Consequence & Bad Boy 

During an interview with HipHopDx, Consequence explained how Q-Tip’s shout-out on Craig Mack’s “Get Down” remix sparked Diddy’s interest. At the time, he was known as “Ray Tip,” which Q-Tip name-dropped during his verse. When Cons dropped “Living It Up,” Diddy was keen on inking a deal with him. “When Q-Tip played ‘Living It Up’ for Puff, Puff was like, ‘Yo, lemme get playboy, I’ll sign him right now. He’s fire,’” he recalled.

However, Q-Tip’s plans for Consequence were far different than Puff’s. Instead of having him join Bad Boy, he wanted him to become a member of Tribe. “[Diddy’s interest] led to Q-Tip and I having a conversation, which led to Q-Tip deciding that instead of me signing to Puff, he wanted me to join A Tribe Called Quest as the new member. Which, you know, probably one of the craziest ways anybody could start their career in the ’90s. I was blessed,” he continued. However, Consequence maintained a strong relationship with Diddy since, even working with the Bad Boy head honcho and former signees The LOX on “Whatever You Want.”