# Bad Boy Records

Bad Boy Entertainment, doing business as Bad Boy Records, is an American record label founded in 1993 by Sean "Diddy" Combs and Kirk Burrowes. During the mid-1990s, the label signed hip hop and contemporary R&B artists, beginning with the Notorious B.I.G. Following his commercial success, the label signed other acts, including Faith Evans, Mase, 112, Total, The Lox, Shyne and Carl Thomas. At its 1997 peak, Bad Boy was worth an estimated US $100 million.
During the 2000s, the label signed artists including French Montana, Machine Gun Kelly, Janelle Monáe, and Cassie. In 2023, Combs created a successor label, Love Records, to independently release his fifth studio album, The Love Album: Off the Grid.

## History
### Beginnings

After his climb from a non-paid internship to becoming an A&R executive at Uptown, Sean "Puffy" Combs was fired in 1993 by Andre Harrell and founded his own label, Bad Boy Records, shortly after. The label's first release was "Flava in Ya Ear" by Craig Mack, followed quickly by Mack's debut album, Project Funk da World in 1994. On the heels of these releases came "Juicy" and Ready to Die, the lead single and debut album from the Notorious B.I.G. (a.k.a. Biggie Smalls), released the same year. While Mack's album went Gold, Ready to Die achieved multi-platinum success. Dominating the charts in 1995, B.I.G. became one of the genre's biggest names of the day and Bad Boy's premier star. Also in 1995, the label continued its success with platinum releases by Total and Faith Evans. Bad Boy, meanwhile, staffed a bevy of in-house writer/producers, including: Easy Mo Bee, Chucky Thompson and D Dot—each of whom are credited on a bulk of Bad Boy's releases during this time.

### Feud with Death Row Records and loss of the Notorious B.I.G.

The rapid success of the Notorious B.I.G., and Bad Boy as a company, raised some tensions, especially with the Beverly Hills, California-based Death Row Records. For 3 years leading up to 1995, West Coast hip hop, dominated by labels such as Death Row, had been preeminent in mainstream Rap. Suge Knight, CEO of Death Row, held Puff Daddy responsible for the shooting death of his friend Jake Robles, allegedly at the hands of Sean Combs' bodyguard Anthony "Wolf" Jones. Tensions were heightened when Death Row signed 2Pac, who alleged that Bad Boy, notably the Notorious B.I.G. and Puff Daddy, had been complicit in his November 1994 shooting in Quad Studios in Times Square.
After the June 1996 release of 2Pac's "Hit 'Em Up", smearing Bad Boy, tensions escalated. 2Pac was shot in Las Vegas, Nevada on September 7, 1996, and died September 13. Bad Boy issued a statement of condolences. On March 9, 1997, while Bad Boy were preparing the release of the Notorious B.I.G.'s double album Life After Death, he was killed in Los Angeles, California. Their deaths left many to speculate if the coastal hostility had been responsible for their deaths. The police investigations were criticized by public and judicial sources. Both cases remain officially unsolved.

### Life after the Notorious B.I.G. and rebuilding the label

Posthumously, Biggie's Life After Death reached number one on the Billboard Top 200. Its first two singles, "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money, Mo Problems" also topped the singles charts. The album eventually sold over 10 million copies in the U.S. alone, and is one of the highest selling rap albums ever in the U.S..
In 1996, Puff Daddy had begun recording his own solo debut album. The first single, "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", peaked at No. 1 on the Rap, R&B, and pop charts that spring. In response to Biggie's death, the label rush-released a Puff Daddy tribute song, "I'll Be Missing You", which featured Biggie's widow, Faith Evans, and Bad Boy's R&B singing group 112. The single topped the charts for eleven weeks and became the hasty second single from Combs' album, No Way Out, which was released in July 1997. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 with over 560, 000 copies sold in its first week alone, and sold 7 million copies in America. It featured appearances from Mase, The LOX, Carl Thomas, and introduced Bad Boy signee Black Rob. Mase, Combs' newest protégé, in the meantime was immediately thrust into the void that the Notorious B.I.G. left. His own debut album, Harlem World, also released the same year, would go Quadruple Platinum. Due to the successive successes of Life After Death, No Way Out and Harlem World, by the end of 1997, Bad Boy as a label and brand name had hit a commercial peak. During this time, the label began to promote its latest signing the L.O.X., who had been prominently featured on various Bad Boy releases that year.
Bad Boy found success with rap group The LOX. In January 1998, Bad Boy released the group's debut album, Money, Power & Respect to commercial success. It debuted within the top 3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA. The album was executive produced by Combs and Deric "D-Dot" Angelettie, and featured guest appearances by Combs and Carl Thomas. That year, Combs decided to expand Bad Boy's roster to genres other than hip-hop and R&B, and subsequently signed Fuzzbubble to the label as its 1st rock act. The group appeared on the rock remix of Puff Daddy's "It's All About the Benjamins", but parted ways with the label before releasing a full-length album.
In the years to follow, Bad Boy saw a commercial decline. In 1999, Mase became religious and abruptly retired from the business, leaving a serious dent in the company, especially since his 2nd album had just been released. Bad Boy found some success with Shyne, a young rapper from Brooklyn, who garnered generally mixed reviews for his deep voice and slow flow—which many considered to be too reminiscent to, and perhaps a rip-off of the Notorious B.I.G., meanwhile, Combs' later albums failed to generate the same kind of acclaim that his debut had. In an attempt to further market himself, he underwent several name changes; from "Puff Daddy" to "Puffy" to "P. Diddy", to simply just "Diddy" then shortly Diddy- Dirty Money". But with the split of the group he abruptly returned to "Diddy". In June 1999, it was reported that Clive Davis and Arista had given Combs a $50 million advance on future earnings in 1998, but Bad Boy only generated around $30 million in 1999.
As the 2000’s emerged, Bad Boy had noticeably floundered. Many of its more noted acts would eventually vacate the label, while those who remained saw their album sales dwindle as time went on. In spite of continually releasing new material, and various attempts at building artists to the status of Bad Boy's the Notorious B.I.G., few proved as successful as the company hoped. Bad Boy had success in 2000 with Black Rob, a New York City rapper who began associating with Bad Boy in 1996. His album, Life Story, was released through Bad Boy on March 27, 2000. The album debuted in the top 3 on the Billboard top 200, and was certified Platinum by the RIAA.
On June 20, 2002, it was announced and confirmed that Combs and Bad Boy had parted ways with Arista Records after being with the label since its inception. Combs was able to walk away with ownership of Bad Boy's catalogue as well as recording roster. Around this same time, Combs began overseeing the tv show Making The Band 2 for MTV, a reality music show that focuses on the development of a group act. Making the Band 2's three seasons focused on Combs' new group, Bad Boy's Da Band.
In January 2003, Combs and Bad Boy then entered talks with The Warner Music Group's Elektra Records about Elektra possibly housing Bad Boy for a reported $10 million deal. However, the deal ultimately fell through. On February 6, 2003, it was announced and confirmed that Bad Boy had signed a distribution deal with The Universal Music Group's Universal Records. Under terms of the deal, Combs would retain 100% of the company, while Universal would handle distribution and provide marketing and promotional support. In September 2003, Bad Boy's Da Band released their debut studio album, Too Hot for TV. The group's exposure on MTV helped the album secure a Gold certification by the RIAA.
Southern rap duo 8Ball & MJG released an album called Living Legends to some success in 2004, prompting the creation of Bad Boy South—which would eventually house acts such as Yung Joc. At this time, the label also signed a rapper named Aasim, whose Bad Boy debut album never been released.
By January 2005, Bad Boy began clashing with Universal Records. It is alleged that the tension between the two labels stemmed from Combs believing that Universal had not done enough to market their music, while Universal in turn had refused to offer more money until Bad Boy started to produce more hit records. Though Bad boy's contract with Universal was set to expire in 2006, Combs had already began talking to other record labels, in particular The Warner Music Group and Sony Music's Columbia Records, for distribution.

### Resurgence

In 2005, the company formed a joint venture with Warner Music Group (WMG). This saw WMG become the worldwide distributor of the company’s back catalog of classic hits, and take 50% equity in Bad Boy Entertainment. Combs, however, retained joint control over the label and could buy back his equity stake at a later date.
Bad Boy would also see its fortunes improve in 2005, with the success of releases from new signees: Cassie and Yung Joc (both of whom would score top five singles/debut albums). Also in 2006, Bad Boy hit paydirt with Making the Band 3's Danity Kane, whose debut album topped the charts at No. 1 (the label's first chart topping album since the Bad Boys II soundtrack three years prior), and spun off a top five single. Their second album, Welcome to the Dollhouse also debuted at No. 1, and contained the group's second top ten single "Damaged". Diddy also signed Day26 and Donnie Klang to the label.
However, by 2009, Combs had dissolved Danity Kane, terminating Aubrey O'Day's, D. Woods', Shannon Bex's and Aundrea Fimbres' contracts. Dawn Richard remained signed working as solo artist and songwriter for Bad Boy. In March 2009, it was reported that Richard and Combs were assembling a new girl group but later formed Diddy – Dirty Money, composed of Combs, Richard and a singer-songwriter named Kalenna Harper. In April 2009, Bad Boy also signed Red Cafe.
In September 2009, it was announced that Combs would be leaving Warner, inking a new deal with Universal's Interscope Records. Under the terms of the new deal, Combs rebooted the Bad Boy name and trademark, to be operated through Interscope. The previous Bad Boy catalog and roster, however, remains under the control of Warner.

### 2010–present

In 2010, Puff Daddy offered Mase a 1-year release from Bad Boy to settle their differences after the 2009 incident with Mase wanting to be released from Bad Boy. With this Mase decided to retire from rap for good, although he was to be reassigned to Bad Boy after his year break was done. In 2011, under his new deal with Interscope-Geffen-A&M, Puff Daddy stated he was looking for new talent to add to his new Bad Boy roster. Jay Electronica, who had close ties with Puff Daddy, was originally planned to be signed to the label but had signed with Jay-Z's Roc Nation imprint instead. Machine Gun Kelly announced that he signed to Bad Boy/Interscope on August 3, 2011. French Montana and Los also were announced as signees to the label in 2012.
On April 25, 2012, Mase featured alongside Puff Daddy on Wale's "Slight Work" remix, marking the first appearance of the Harlem rapper on record since 2010. Rumors began to start that Mase, as well as singer Omarion, were both signing to Rick Ross' Maybach Music Group. It was later revealed that Bad Boy artist French Montana was the reason Mase was making his third comeback. According to Montana, Mase is serving as an A&R representative on Montana's forthcoming Bad Boy debut, "Excuse My French", as well as appearing on the remix of Montana's "Everything's a Go". "I'm not sure what kind of decisions he's going to make," Montana says, "[but] I would love to see him in my camp." Mase is currently resigned to Bad Boy Records but has yet to announce whether he is resigned as part of a joint venture deal between Bad Boy and MMG. He later announced he had gotten his release from Bad Boy. In April 2013, Cassie released her first full-length project seven years after her debut album, a mixtape titled RockaByeBaby, to positive reception. Rapper Los announced his departure from Bad Boy Records on March 19, 2014.
On October 5, 2015, Combs announced that Bad Boy would be distributed by Epic Records. This will mark the second time that Epic president L.A. Reid oversaw distribution for Bad Boy, having previously overseen distribution for the label 15 years earlier after being appointed president of Arista in 2000. Despite founding the label in 1993, Bad Boy began celebrating their 20th anniversary in 2015 with a 20-minute mega-medley performance at the BET Awards. It stretched into 2016, starting with the label's May reunion sold-out shows at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, and originating the Bad Boy Family Reunion Tour, starting in North America in the last week of August 2016.

## Roster
### Current

| Act | Year signed | Releases under Bad Boy |
| Puff Daddy | Founder (1993) | 5 |
| Janelle Monáe | 2008 | 3 |
| King Combs | 2016 | 2 |
| Quincy | 2016 | — |

### Former

* Craig Mack (deceased) (1993—1996)
* The Notorious B.I.G. (deceased) (1993—1997)
* Faith Evans (1994 - 2004)
* Total (1994 - 2000)
* 112 (1995 - 2005)
* Mase (1996 - 2010)
* Tanya Trotter (1996-2000)
* Mario Winans (2001 - 2008)
* The Lox (1996 - 1999)
* Styles (1996 - 1999)
* Jadakiss (1996 - 1999)
* Black Rob (deceased) (1996 - 2010)
* Carl Thomas (1997 - 2005)
* Shyne (1998 - 2001)
* Mark Curry (2000 - 2002)
* Kain (2000 - 2002)
* Dream
* G. Dep (1999 - 2005)
* Loon (2001 - 2006)
* Da Band (2002 - 2004)
* Fuzzbubble
* 8Ball & MJG (2002 - 2008)
* Foxy Brown (2002 - 2004)
* Boyz n da Hood (2004-2008)
* Cheri Dennis (2000 - 2009)
* Kalenna Harper
* New Edition (2003 - 2006)
* Red Café (2011–2014)
* B5 (2004 - 2008)
* Yung Joc (2004 - 2009)
* Dirty Money (2009 – 2012)
* Gorilla Zoe
* Danity Kane
* King Los (2012 - 2014)
* Day26
* Elephant Man (2006 - 2009)
* Donnie Klang (2006 - 2008)
* Cassie (2006 - 2021)
* Pitbull (2006 - 2007)
* Christian Daniel
* Jody Breeze 2005- 2015
* Machine Gun Kelly (2011 - 2024)
* French Montana (2012 – 2022)

## The Hitmen

The Hitmen is the production team for Bad Boy Records. The collective consisted of several notable producers and musicians that either worked solo or alongside Combs in composing tracks for the artists on Bad Boy as well as outside the label.
On August 20, 2015, it was announced that Kanye West was part of the Hitmen's roster.

## Discography
### Albums

| Year | Information |
| 1994 | The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die Released: September 13, 1994 RIAA certification: 6× Platinum Chart positions: No.15 Billboard |
| 1994 | Craig Mack - Project: Funk da World Released: September 20, 1994 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.21 Billboard |
| 1995 | Faith Evans - Faith Released: August 29, 1995 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.22 Billboard |
| 1996 | Total - Total Released: January 30, 1996 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.23 Billboard |
| 1996 | 112 - 112 Released: August 27, 1996 RIAA certification: 2× Platinum Chart positions: No.37 Billboard |
| 1997 | The Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death Released: March 25, 1997 RIAA certification: Diamond (11× Platinum) Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 1997 | Puff Daddy & the Family - No Way Out Released: July 22, 1997 RIAA certification: 7× Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 1997 | Mase - Harlem World Released: October 28, 1997 RIAA certification: 4× Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 1998 | The LOX - Money, Power & Respect Released: January 28, 1998 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 1998 | Faith Evans - Keep the Faith Released: October 27, 1998 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.6 Billboard |
| 1998 | Total - Kima, Keisha, and Pam Released: November 3, 1998 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.39 Billboard |
| 1998 | 112 - Room 112 Released: November 10, 1998 RIAA certification: 2× Platinum Chart positions: No.20 Billboard |
| 1999 | Mase - Double Up Released: June 15, 1999 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.11 Billboard |
| 1999 | Puff Daddy - Forever Released: August 24, 1999 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.2 Billboard |
| 1999 | The Notorious B.I.G. - Born Again Released: December 7, 1999 RIAA certification: 2× Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2000 | Black Rob - Life Story Released: March 7, 2000 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2000 | Carl Thomas - Emotional Released: April 18, 2000 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.9 Billboard |
| 2000 | Shyne - Shyne Released: September 26, 2000 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.5 Billboard |
| 2001 | Dream - It Was All a Dream Released: January 23, 2001 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.6 Billboard |
| 2001 | 112 - Part III Released: March 20, 2001 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.2 Billboard |
| 2001 | Faith Evans - Faithfully Released: November 6, 2001 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.14 Billboard |
| 2001 | G. Dep - Child of the Ghetto Released: November 20, 2001 Chart positions: No.106 Billboard |
| 2002 | P. Diddy & the Bad Boy Family - We Invented the Remix Released: May 14, 2002 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2003 | Bad Boys II: The Soundtrack Released: July 15, 2003 RIAA certification: 2× Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2003 | Da Band - Too Hot for TV Released: September 30, 2003 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.2 Billboard |
| 2003 | Loon - Loon Released: October 21, 2003 Chart positions: No.6 Billboard |
| 2003 | 112 - Hot & Wet Released: November 18, 2003 Chart positions: No.22 Billboard |
| 2004 | Carl Thomas - Let's Talk About It Released: March 23, 2004 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2004 | Mario Winans - Hurt No More Released: April 20, 2004 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.2 Billboard |
| 2004 | 8Ball & MJG - Living Legends Released: May 11, 2004 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2004 | Mase - Welcome Back Released: August 24, 2004 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2004 | New Edition - One Love Released: November 9, 2004 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.12 Billboard |
| 2005 | Boyz n da Hood - Boyz n da Hood Released: June 21, 2005 Chart positions: No.5 Billboard |
| 2005 | B5 - B5 Released: July 19, 2005 Chart positions: No.19 Billboard |
| 2005 | Black Rob - The Black Rob Report Released: July 19, 2005 Chart positions: No.40 Billboard |
| 2005 | The Notorious B.I.G. - Duets: The Final Chapter Released: December 20, 2005 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2006 | Yung Joc - New Joc City Released: June 6, 2006 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2006 | Cassie - Cassie Released: August 8, 2006 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2006 | Danity Kane - Danity Kane Released: August 22, 2006 RIAA certification:2× Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2006 | Diddy - Press Play Released: October 17, 2006 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2007 | The Notorious B.I.G. - Greatest Hits Released: March 6, 2007 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2007 | 8Ball & MJG - Ridin High Released: March 13, 2007 Chart positions: No.8 Billboard |
| 2007 | Yung Joc - Hustlenomics Released: August 28, 2007 Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2007 | B5 - Don't Talk, Just Listen Released: September 11, 2007 Chart positions: No.27 Billboard |
| 2007 | Gorilla Zoe - Welcome to the Zoo Released: September 25, 2007 Chart positions: No.18 Billboard |
| 2007 | Boyz n da Hood - Back Up n da Chevy Released: October 2, 2007 Chart positions: No.51 Billboard |
| 2008 | Cheri Dennis - In and Out of Love Released: February 26, 2008 Chart positions: No.74 Billboard |
| 2008 | Danity Kane - Welcome to the Dollhouse Released: March 18, 2008 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2008 | Day26 - Day26 Released: March 25, 2008 Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2008 | Elephant Man - Let's Get Physical Released: April 8, 2008 |
| 2008 | Donnie Klang - Just a Rolling Stone Released: September 2, 2008 Chart positions: No.19 Billboard |
| 2009 | Notorious: The Soundtrack Released: January 13, 2009 Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2009 | Gorilla Zoe - Don't Feed da Animals Released: March 17, 2009 Chart positions: No.8 Billboard |
| 2009 | Day26 - Forever in a Day Released: April 14, 2009 Chart positions: No.2 Billboard |
| 2010 | Diddy-Dirty Money - Last Train to Paris Released: December 14, 2010 Chart positions: No.7 Billboard |
| 2011 | Gorilla Zoe - King Kong Released: June 14, 2011 Chart positions: No.56 Billboard |
| 2012 | Machine Gun Kelly - Lace Up Released: October 9, 2012 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2013 | French Montana - Excuse My French Released: May 21, 2013 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2013 | Janelle Monáe - The Electric Lady Released: September 10, 2013 Chart positions: No.5 Billboard |
| 2015 | Machine Gun Kelly - General Admission Released: October 16, 2015 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.4 Billboard |
| 2015 | Puff Daddy - MMM Released: December 18, 2015 Chart positions: No.45 Billboard R&B |
| 2017 | Machine Gun Kelly - bloom Released: May 12, 2017 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.8 Billboard |
| 2017 | French Montana - Jungle Rules Released: July 14, 2017 RIAA Certification: Gold Chart positions: No.3 Billboard |
| 2018 | Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer Released: April 27, 2018 Chart positions: No.6 Billboard |
| 2019 | French Montana - Montana Released: December 6, 2019 RIAA certification: Gold Chart positions: No.25 Billboard |
| 2020 | Machine Gun Kelly - Tickets to My Downfall Released: September 25, 2020 RIAA certification: Platinum Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2021 | French Montana - They Got Amnesia Released: November 19, 2021 Chart positions: No.59 Billboard |
| 2022 | Machine Gun Kelly - Mainstream Sellout Released: March 25, 2022 Chart positions: No.1 Billboard |
| 2023 | Janelle Monáe - The Age of Pleasure Released: June 9, 2023 Chart positions: No.17 Billboard |

### Label compilations

| Year | Information |
| 1998 | Bad Boy Greatest Hits: Volume 1 Released: October 13, 1998 Singles: "Too Too Old For Me" by Jerome RIAA certification: Gold |
| 2002 | P. Diddy & Bad Boy Records Present... We Invented the Remix Released: May 14, 2002 Singles: "I Need a Girl (Part One)", "I Need a Girl (Part Two)", "Special Delivery (Remix)" RIAA certification: 2× Platinum |
| 2004 | Bad Boy's 10th Anniversary... The Hits Released: March 9, 2004 Singles: "Victory 2004" RIAA certification: Gold |
| 2004 | Bad Boy's R&B Hits Released: November 23, 2004 |
| 2016 | Bad Boy 20th Anniversary Box Set Edition Released: August 12, 2016 |