Diddy Returns Music Rights To Bad Boy Artists Including Notorious BIG And Faith Evans

After founding Bad Boy Records in 1993, Sean “Diddy” Combs represented some of the biggest names in hip-hop and made the label one of the most influential of all time.

Now, three decades after its release, the rapper and music mogul has confirmed that he is returning music publishing rights to artists, rather than selling the catalogue.

According to a Rolling Stone report, the record label has already contacted several clients it represents – including Faith Evans, The Lox and the estate of The Notorious BIG – to agree to return the rights. for their respective works, and the process is currently underway.

At the time of writing, the terms of the agreement had not yet been published, but it is an unprecedented step in the music industry, which could change the way the major record companies manage an artist’s music rights.

The measure, which is to be implemented in 2021, is in stark contrast to the number of famous musicians who have sold their catalog in recent years. Among them are Neil Young, who sold half his catalog for $150 million, Tina Turner, who signed a contract for $300 million, Justin Bieber, who made $200 million from his, and Pink Floyd. , which will bring in around 400 million pounds.

According to a statement shared on his behalf, Combs would have received several million dollars to acquire the Bad Boy list, but he turned them all down out of respect for the musicians.

“[La decisión forma] as part of a larger goal to promote the economic empowerment of black artists and culture,” the statement read.

The move also comes as the industry mogul came under fire from fellow rapper Mase back in 2020, who described Diddy as a hypocrite in a now-deleted Instagram post.

“Your past business practices have knowingly starved an artist and were very unfair to the artist you helped win the Icon Award on the iconic Bad Boy label,” Mase wrote at the time, also said “black music has never been appreciated.” by the Recording Academy.

He continued, alleging that Combs turned down a $2 million offer to buy back his publication, despite Mase only receiving $20,000 for the rights initially. “This is not black supremacy at all,” he said.

According to rapper Cam’ron, the dispute has now been put to rest, and Mase has reportedly completed the necessary paperwork to get his Diddy catalog back.

In other rapper news, Diddy will release his first solo album in 17 years later this month. Entitled ‘The Love Album: Off The Grid’, the LP will go on sale next Friday (September 15) and will feature collaborations from John Legend, Mary J. Blige and The Weeknd, among others.

Diddy last released a solo album in 2006 with “Press Play.” That record included the hit single “Last Night” by Keyshia Cole, as well as songs like “We Gon’ Make It,” “Hold Up,” “Come To Me,” “Tell Me” by Christina Aguilera, and many others.

Diddy’s last project, however, was the 2015 mixtape ‘MMM (Money Making Mitch)’, which included tracks with Future, Big Sean, French Montana, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Kim and more. For that project, he was renamed Puff Daddy.