According to BillboardPro, Sean’ Diddy‘ Combs has taken an unprecedented step for his artists.
Diddy, captured at the 2022 Billboard Music Awards in Las Vegas, returned the publishing rights to the legendary artists and songwriters.
These were the backbone of Sean’s famous label, Bad Boy Entertainment.
The key beneficiaries include Mase, Faith Evans, The LOX, 112, and the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G.
These are just a few artists who already secured their rights.
The specific details of the deal are still undisclosed.
However, these changes started in May 2021, after Combs declined numerous offers to sell an extensive catalog.
Efforts to finalize agreements with some artists are still underway.
EMI, a subsidiary of Sony Music Publishing, had been handling Bad Boy’s publishing.
Diddy’s Decision Marks A Significant Anniversary
This is the 30th anniversary of Bad Boy.
The rappers’ decision follows a prolonged public disagreement with Mase, one of Bad Boy’s primary hitmakers.
Mase critiqued the Recording Academy for neglecting Black artists and publicly accused the record executive of similar practices.
Mase further highlighted an unfulfilled bid to repurchase his publishing rights from Diddy.
Mase’s outspoken Instagram post (now removed) exposed his $2 million offer to Combs to regain his publishing.
He hinted at the injustices that contradicted the ethos of “Black excellence.”
Diddy established Bad Boy Entertainment in 1993, and the label rapidly climbed the success ladder with numerous hit albums and singles.
The renowned artists under its umbrella included the Notorious B.I.G., Faith Evans, Mase, and even Diddy.
The label also housed a talented group of writers/producers named The Hitmen.
Notable recent releases under Bad Boy include Machine Gun Kelly’s 2022 album and Janelle Monae’s latest.
WOW! Did I correctly read that Diddy GAVE the Bad Boy Artists their publishing rights at no charge? If I have it right, that’s a major blessing for them and that makes him a massively good person in my eyes. I’ve only heard of that occurring once in my life. Diddy is expecting…
— Can We All Engage Our Brain? (@norajones388) September 5, 2023
The rapper’s recent move is a nod to his label’s legacy.
It also sets a foundation for promoting fairness and acknowledgment in the music industry.
