What is P Diddy's Record Label: Bad Boy Entertainment History & Success

By Alexander Mitchell

March 30, 2025 at 06:39 PM

P. Diddy's record label, Bad Boy Records, was founded in 1993 and has been one of the most influential hip-hop record labels in music history. The label was established by Sean "Diddy" Combs after he left his position as an A&R executive at Uptown Records.

Bad Boy Records quickly rose to prominence in the 1990s, launching the careers of numerous legendary artists. The label's first major success came with the release of The Notorious B.I.G.'s debut album "Ready to Die" in 1994, which established Bad Boy as a powerhouse in the hip-hop industry.

Throughout its history, Bad Boy Records has been home to an impressive roster of artists including:

Faith Evans
Mase
112
Total
Carl Thomas
The LOX
French Montana
Machine Gun Kelly

The label operates under the larger Bad Boy Entertainment company, which has expanded beyond music into fashion, beverages, and other business ventures. In 2015, Bad Boy Records entered into a partnership with Epic Records, allowing the label to maintain its independence while leveraging Epic's distribution network.

Notable achievements of Bad Boy Records include:

Over 400 million records sold worldwide
Multiple Grammy Awards
Numerous platinum and multi-platinum albums
Breakthrough success in mainstream pop markets

Today, Bad Boy Records continues to operate under P. Diddy's leadership, though with a smaller roster than during its peak years. The label has adapted to changes in the music industry by focusing on digital distribution and strategic partnerships while maintaining its iconic status in hip-hop culture.

While the label's commercial peak was in the 1990s and early 2000s, its influence on hip-hop culture and business remains significant. Bad Boy Records helped establish the blueprint for hip-hop entrepreneurs, showing how music executives could build successful entertainment empires beyond just record sales.

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