As one of the most legendary hip hop icons of all time, Sean Combs has worked alongside a number of successful artists. He started off producing for the likes of Mary J. Blige, Jodeci, and of course the Notorious B.I.G. His work ethic is unmatched, and even with the passing of Biggie, Combs managed to stay relevant both in rap and other industries.
He's done clothing, alcohol, parties, restaurants, you name it. Combs is everywhere, but we know him best for his music. Whether he spits a heartfelt verse for his brother B.I.G. or channeling that late 90s flavor alongside Jay Z, Diddy (then known as Puff Daddy) has no shortage of ill cuts. As part of our Throwback Thursday series, we're diving into Puff Daddy's 90s cuts, ranging from features to posse cuts and more.
The Notorious B.I.G. featuring Puff Daddy and Mase - Mo Money Mo Problems
This is one of the most classic hip hop tracks ever recorded, no doubt. You can play this at your friend's birthday, an all ages wedding, in the whip or by yourself on a Monday morning, and it'll have the same effect. "Mo Money Mo Problems" gets people hyped! With a Diana Ross sample to die for, and a few verses from Bad Boys' baddest players, this is a throwback that certainly deserves a spin.
Lil Kim featuring Puff Daddy - "No Time"
As one of the original bad girls of hip hop, Lil Kim was seriously groundbreaking in her heyday. In 1996, along with Puff Daddy, Kim released the hardcore LP aptly titled Hard Core. The X-rated raps on "No Time" are a snapshot of the times, where parental advisory stickers were selling thousands of records to kids who wanted something their parents wouldn't approve of.
Fat Joe featuring Puff Daddy - "Don Cartagena"
Sean Combs isn't known primarily as a rapper, per se. Sometimes he'll spit a verse, but other times he's just laying a hook, or else simply talking that talk. For this early Fat Joe classic, he provided the former. This is the title track off 1998's Don Cartagena. It's a mafioso-style cut with visuals to match, and it acts as a glimpse into the style of the late 90s.
"Been Around The World" featuring Notorious B.I.G. and Mase
This was the fourth single off Puffy's debut album No Way Out. The album acted as the post-Biggie record for those who wanted more following Life After Death. Big's voice is only on the hook, but Combs and Mase lay down some nice verses, over a beat that samples David Bowie and Roy Ayers alike.
Nas featuring Puff Daddy - "Hate Me Now"
With Nas carrying the cross like Jesus Christ before execution, this video was very controversial when it was released in 1998. That was a big year for Puffy, who is featured on this still-epic cut from Nas' underrated I Am... Watch the two dance upon bodega awnings and wild out in the streets in typical 90s fashion.
"I'll Be Missing You" featuring 112 & Faith Evans
Sometimes great music comes out of terrible circumstances. "I'll Be Missing You" is a prime example of that.
Biggie was killed, and Puffy brought 112 and his widow Faith Evans together to recreate a classic track by The Police. It remains one of the greatest tribute tracks ever created, and will still incite goose bumps and sing-alongs from those who listen.
"Do You Like It...Do You Want It..." featuring Jay Z
You might expect a Puff Daddy / Jay Z collaboration to have charted through the roof, but that wasn't the case with "Do You Like It...Do You Want It..." The track remains sort of a deep cut for both artists, as it never seriously took off, but that doesn't change the fact that it perfectly captured the essence of B.I.G.'s two compadres blessing a track with some dueling vocals.
"Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" featuring Mase
How did Combs clear samples from Michael Jackson, Matthew Wilder, Funkadelic, and Grandmaster Flash all on the same track? He isn't considered a great business man for nothing, and "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" might just be the perfect example of how he was able to play the business game to create value. The track is a collage of songs we already love, and that goes far when Puffy is pushing a Rolls in the middle of the desert.
"It's All About the Benjamins" featuring The Notorious B.I.G., The LOX & Lil' Kim
Classic, classic, classic. The song title is a cliche in the American language. There was a movie named after it. The beat can be recognized from a mile away, and with a handful of legendary rappers in tow, this is about as ill as a throwback can get.
"Victory" featuring The Notorious B.I.G. and Busta Rhymes
High budget music videos were like a status symbol in the late 90s. When this released in March of 1998, the explosions, helicopters, elaborate scenes and quality shots made the video for "Victory" seem more like a short movie than a regular ol' music video. With Busta Rhymes and a posthumous contribution from Biggie, "Victory" was the fifth and final single on No Way Out.