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Sean "Diddy" Combs has remained at the forefront of hip-hop music and culture since beginning his career more than a decade ago. As a very young A&R; executive at Uptown Records in the early '90s, the Harlem native worked with artists such as Father MC, Jodeci and Mary J. Blige, with whom he more or less invented the hip-hop soul sound. After his considerable accomplishments with Uptown, Diddy broke out to form Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993, launching what was to become one of hip-hop's most influential and successful labels by signing Craig Mack and The Notorious B.I.G.

Ready to Die, The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1994 debut, was a huge smash, commercially and artistically, and from there Diddy began branching out, signing R&B; artists Total, Faith Evans and 112. At the same time, he was becoming well-known as a producer, shaping albums for, among others, Mariah Carey, TLC and Aretha Franklin. In 1997, Diddy released his own solo album, No Way Out, which won a Best Rap Album Grammy in 1998. The album featured a poignant tribute to Biggie Smalls, "I'll Be Missing You," a song Diddy performed at the 1997 MTV Video Music Awards alongside Sting, Faith Evans and 112 . It was an event that would ultimately prove to be one of the most memorable VMA performances in history.

By the time Diddy celebrated Bad Boy's 10th anniversary in 2004, the business had grown into a multi-million-dollar empire, encompassing not only a music label but the award-winning Sean John clothing line, Justin's restaurants and a wide array of charitable ventures. A true renaissance man, Diddy is also building an acting career, appearing in movies such as Made and Monster's Ball, and making his Broadway debut in Raisin in the Sun. This is his first time hosting the MTV VMAs.