While Diddy’s Bad Boy Records has outlasted many Hip-Hop/Rap labels, the question must be asked how long will it last. With Last Train Wreck To Paris dropping soon and Diddy’s history of Bad Boy artist fails, it could signify the label finally coming to a end as we now it. Then again, maybe Puff has some more tricks up his sleeve (And not the ones that shave the side of their heads).
My homie B-Double over at yourfavoritewhiteboy.com (Who just got off an extended EXTENDED sabbatical) has a great write up about this very subject. Check out an excerpt:
Bad Boy Records and Sean Combs have been a force in hip hop for some time. There is no debate that they ruled the late 90′s with the introduction of the Notorious B.I.G., Craig Mack, Ma$e and even Diddy (Puff Daddy then) himself. They introduced a new sound and a new direction (a.k.a. the “Shiny Suit Era”)
But I think it’s pretty safe to say that Diddy and his crew haven’t exactly been leading the pack (or even been a contender) for a while now. Now, you don’t need to always be at the top to do well. Lots of labels, artists and personalities have ups and downs, peaks and valleys. But it’s getting to a point that Bad Boy needs a peak pretty soon to stay relevant.