Sean Love Combs, also known by his stage names Puff Daddy, P. Diddy, or Diddy, is an American rapper, record producer and record executive. Born in Harlem and raised in Mount Vernon, New York, Combs worked as a talent director at Uptown Records before founding his own record label, Bad Boy Records, in 1993. Combs has been credited with the discovery and cultivation of artists such as the Notorious B.I.G., Mary J. Blige, and Usher.
Combs in 2010
Bad Boy headquarters on Broadway near Times Square. A billboard of Combs is in the distance.
Combs performing in 2006
A billboard of Sean John is in the distance on Broadway, 2011
A stage name or professional name is a pseudonym used by performers, authors, and entertainers—such as actors, comedians, singers, and musicians. Such professional aliases are adopted for a wide variety of reasons and they may be similar, or nearly identical, to an individual's birth name. Though uncommon, some performers choose to adopt their stage name as a legal name.
Marilyn Monroe (born Norma Jeane Mortenson) created her stage name by combining her mother's maiden name with the first name of Broadway star Marilyn Miller. It became her legal name in 1956.
Madhubala (born Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi) was suggested for her stage name by Indian director Mohan Sinha, who launched her as a full-fledged leading star after a series of bit roles.
Singer Freddie Mercury legally changed his name from Farrokh Bulsara.
