Publications
Partners
P. Diddy* is many things. As CEO of Bad Boy Records, he is a smart businessman. He has talented friends like the late Notorious BIG, the troubled Black Rob and diva Mary J. Blige. He mingles with the influential who’s who of America, like Donald Trump and others. And he is a passable producer.
And then there a many more things P. Diddy is not. He is NOT a rapper. He is not a lyricist. He is NOT a singer. Diddy, a man who has no flow, has produced mediocre album that, confusingly, is getting major airplay.
But credit must be given to this smart mogul. Who's obviously decided: If you are not talented, hire in the talent. He has invited an array of talented rappers and singers including Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, The Black Eyed Peas’ Wil.i.am, OutKast's Big Boi and Mary J Blige to feature on the album. He also has ghost writers for most of his raps.
To further make up for what he lacks, Diddy gets help from top producers Kanye West, The Neptunes, Timbaland and others. As a result there are a few songs you can play a few times without having the urge to scream or break the CD player. There's “Come To Me”. It features the sexy talents of Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls and has a glossy video and a danceable beat that gives the track some credibility. But you'll be lucky to find four strong tracks on the whole album.
In true P. Diddy style, the album is littered with predictable ego-massaging lines: “…back, better than it ever was”; “Born extraordinary, a life legendary” and more – enough to make any listener nauseous.
And then he tries to sing. Yes, sing. It must be given to Diddy for setting a unique record. There has not been a worse wannabe rapper singer since Ja Rule. Step back Kevin, Diddy takes the prize.
“I recognize niggaz tryin’ to copy my style,” declares Diddy. Unfortunately he is sadly mistaken. It is he who is trying to be something he is not. And nobody in their right mind is likely to follow his example.
- Nomfundo H Mababa+Tshabalala
* P. Diddy has dropped the ‘P' from his name everywhere except the UK as a result of a legal battle with a house DJ. On the SA CD we received, it was P. Diddy.
And then there a many more things P. Diddy is not. He is NOT a rapper. He is not a lyricist. He is NOT a singer. Diddy, a man who has no flow, has produced mediocre album that, confusingly, is getting major airplay.
But credit must be given to this smart mogul. Who's obviously decided: If you are not talented, hire in the talent. He has invited an array of talented rappers and singers including Christina Aguilera, Jamie Foxx, The Black Eyed Peas’ Wil.i.am, OutKast's Big Boi and Mary J Blige to feature on the album. He also has ghost writers for most of his raps.
To further make up for what he lacks, Diddy gets help from top producers Kanye West, The Neptunes, Timbaland and others. As a result there are a few songs you can play a few times without having the urge to scream or break the CD player. There's “Come To Me”. It features the sexy talents of Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls and has a glossy video and a danceable beat that gives the track some credibility. But you'll be lucky to find four strong tracks on the whole album.
In true P. Diddy style, the album is littered with predictable ego-massaging lines: “…back, better than it ever was”; “Born extraordinary, a life legendary” and more – enough to make any listener nauseous.
And then he tries to sing. Yes, sing. It must be given to Diddy for setting a unique record. There has not been a worse wannabe rapper singer since Ja Rule. Step back Kevin, Diddy takes the prize.
“I recognize niggaz tryin’ to copy my style,” declares Diddy. Unfortunately he is sadly mistaken. It is he who is trying to be something he is not. And nobody in their right mind is likely to follow his example.
- Nomfundo H Mababa+Tshabalala
* P. Diddy has dropped the ‘P' from his name everywhere except the UK as a result of a legal battle with a house DJ. On the SA CD we received, it was P. Diddy.
