Sean “Diddy” Combs is one of the richest men in hip-hop, and continues to generate wealth through his diverse streams of income. His success landed him the number-14 spot on Forbes’ “Highest Paid Celebrities” List of 2022.
From his early years working at Uptown Records to forming the legendary Bad Boy label, the music mogul has built an fortune worth an estimated net worth of $900 million. The artist formerly known as “Puff Daddy” still owns many of the brands and companies he invested in or launched in the 1990s. He often discusses his previous positions as a newspaper delivery boy, a doorman and a lavatory attendant at a young age. But at one point, the bulk of his income came from the music industry, according to stats on his company’s website, CombsEnterprises.com.
Bad Boy Era
Combs signed some of the biggest R&B and hip-hop acts in the 1990s to Bad Boy Entertainment — everyone from Ma$e and Mary J. Blige to KC and Craig Mack and Jodeci. The Bad Boy catalog is still heavily sampled by today’s music artists, including The Lox’s braggadocious anthem, “Can’t Stop Won’t Stop.” He also receives a substantial amount of royalties from producing two posthumous albums for his best friend and late business partner, the Notorious B.I.G.
The label’s biggest event was the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour in 2016, featuring performances by past and present artists such as Diddy himself, Lil Kim, Faith Evans, 112 and more special guest artists. The tour reportedly grossed over $920 million.
Throuhgout his solo career, the multi-talented artist and producer earned three Grammy Awards (two in 1998, one in 2004.
Fashion Icon
Over the years, Combs has also kept fragrance stores stocked with his mens’s cologne. It’s most notable called “Unforgivable,” became one of the best selling fragrances upon its release in 2006.
Last December, Combs reacquired the Sean John fashion label he started in 1998 for a total of $7.551 million. The brand also included Enyce and Lady Enyce street fashions, which he acquired later. The SJ era earned him the prestigious Council of Fashion Designers of America award for Menswear Designer of the Year in 2004.
Fast forward to 2016. Sean John was sold to Global Brands, the same year it accumulated $450 million in retail sales. However, Combs’ relationship took a slow decline after he sued the company for using his “Vote or Die” slogan.
Revolt TV & Films
REVOLT TV is Combs’-curated cable network station where music lovers can enjoy music, news politics and more through original programming. The network can be reached in the U.S. as well as in the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Jamaica and Trinidad.
His film enterprise has 10 feature films under its belt, including 2012’s “Lawless.” Under his production umbrella, he executive produced the football documentary, “Undefeated, which won the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature.
Diddy himslef has appeared in dozens of movies like “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Get Him to the Greek,” and has executive produced the reality series “Making the Band.”
Black-Owned Liquor
The 52-year-old also makes a fortune from his beverage empire, which includes ownership in DeLeón tequila and a longtime partnership with Ciroc ultra premium vodka. His private company, Combs Wine and Spirits, co-owns DeLeon and constructs all strategic marketing for Ciroc.
Reports for 2021 show that Cîroc has grown 27 percent due to refreshed activations around the world. Forbes announced a partnership between Combs, actor Mark Wahlberg and fitness trainer Jillian Michaels to back AQUAhydrate alkaline water.
Harlem Education System
Education is also as equally important to the Harlem native and self-proclaimed motivational speaker. In 2016, Combs opened The Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter school in NYC, serving 160 students. It’s unclear how much he makes from the school but it must be included when discussing his business venture portfolio.
Combs attended classes at Howard University and later dropped out after his sophomore year. However, the serial entrepreneur returned to his alma mater in 2014, where he received an honorary doctorate degree. The father of six has never been married and regularly donates to the school through The Combs Foundation, which supports budding entrepreneurs and hard-working students with funding, through initiatives like the Urban Entrepreneurs Foundation.
