While putting together this collection of Sean 'Diddy' Combs innovations, I couldn't help but think of the first time I saw Diddy swaggering onto my screen in the mid-90s. It was in the video for "Mo' Money, Mo' Problems," and even back then, I remember hearing people complaining about Combs appearing in every video and on every track, shouting out himself and his company like a carnival barker. At the 1995 Source Awards, former Death Row CEO Suge Knight famously derided Diddy's propensity to be in front of the camera, satisfying a sizeable segment of the hip-hop population fed up with Diddy's antics.
Yet, somehow, it worked for him. Some 14-years later, a series of Sean 'Diddy' Combs innovations have laid a template by which every hip-hop entrepreneur operates. By diversifying their brands, artists like 50 Cent, Dr. Dre, and Jay-Z now boast net worths north of $200 million.
Click through this collection and see where they got their inspiration from.
31 Sean 'Diddy' Combs Innovations
29
Stars Behaving Badly
Rise in Celeb Misbehavior Creates Lack of Role Models
28
Celebrity Aptronyms
Amy Winehouse in a Cellar, Terry Hatcher Hatching, Gerard Butler as a Butler
27
Ultra Luxury Men's Fashion
£45,000 Suit
26
Railway Romance Editorials
Retro Hollywood Glamor Reigns for 'Brief Encounter' in Vogue
25
Britney's Publicists Hide VMA Disaster
24
Graffiti-Inspired Jewelry
Thomas Nayler's Accessories Fuse Street and Elite
23
Paparazzi Product Placement
A-List Celebs Happily Flaunt Their Blackberry Bolds For the Camera
22
Triumphant Stage Returns
Whitney Houston to Perform at Clive Davis' Pre-Grammy Party
21
Raw Rap Photography
Mel D Cole Documents the Hip Hop and Punk Scene in a Mean Way
20
A-List Political House Parties
Jennifer Aniston At Courtney Cox's Obama Bash
19
Fashion Favourites
Top Celeb Designs
18
Sea Monster-Mouthed Celebs
Celebrities With Shark Mouths Have Huge Toothy Grins
17
Mid-Career Name Changes
Beyonce is Now "Sasha Fierce"
16
Viral Tribute Remixes
Artists Memorialize Michael Jackson Through Song
15
Gargantuan Holiday Billboards
P Diddy Launches Biggest Times Square Ad in History
14
Celebrity Tour Guides
"Just Ask The Locals" of NYC
13
Twitter-Fueled TV Launches
P. Diddy Leverages His 227,000 Followers for "P. Twitty TV"
12
P. Diddy Party Live On MySpace
Unforgivable Woman Launch
11
Offbeat Celeb Entrepreneur Shoots
The Diddy GQ Interview Shows His Drive and His Humor
10
Microblogging A-Listers
Ashton Kutcher & Demi Moore Twittered from Oscars, Posted Videos
9
Superstars in Coach
Diddy Can't Fuel Private Jet
8
MySpace Activism for Millionaires
A-Listers Against Poverty
7
Singers as Producers
Justin Timberlake Heads to the Small Screen With 2 TV Shows
6
Mini Haute Homes
Designers Create Papier-Mache Mansions for a Cause
5
Twitter Monologues
Washington Post 'Twits' Series Offers Dramatic Readings of Celebrity Tweets
4
Don't Buy a Lie
Puff Daddy Aims to End Counterfeit Culture
3
Presidential Shift Changes
White House Blog Officially Relaunches for Obama
2
Rap Star Charities
Diddy Gives $50,000 to Charities for the '12 Days Of Tag' Online Initiative
1
Hyperbolic Blog Promotions
The Diddy Blog Trailer is Hilariously Misguided
Related Ideas
Young Rapper-Approved Fashion Collaborations
boohooMAN Joins Forces with DD Osama
Luxurious Iridescent Cognac Bottles
Hennessy Debuts the Hennessy VS Carnival Limited Bottle
Rapper-Honoring Streetwear Capsules
Supreme Presents a MF DOOM Collection for the FW23 Season
Celebrity-Fronted High-Fashion Campaigns
Versace's 2024 Icons Campaign Embodies the Brand's Ethos
Highly Affordable Fashion Launches
Kanye West Alters Prices to $20 On YEEZY SUPPLY Drop
Sneaker-Stealing Campaigns
Rob It To Get It by Distance Challenged Customers to Outrun a Sprinter
Ultra-Luxurious Menswear Collections
Dior Men's Fall/Winter 2023 Pays Homage to Yves Saint Laurent
Rapper-Launched Canned Cocktails
Ini Archibong Designs Gin & Juice Can by Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dre
Collaborative DJ-Inspired Flavored Milks
Nesquik Partners with DJ Khaled on 'Another Bun'
Blingy Bespoke Headphones
Nadine Ghosn Unites with Bose to Design Athlete-Inspired Headphones
Soda-Collaborative Dynamic Sneakers
Shaquille O’Neal Presents a Special Shaq Attaq with Reebok
Athlete-Backed Fashion Campaigns
Dwyane Wade Poses for Versace's Underwear Campaign
Y2K Jewelry Collabs
Claire's x Sliving Brings Paris Hilton's Style to a New Generation
Collaborative Basketball-Legend Cognacs
Hennessy x LeBron James Debut a Limited-Edition V.S Bottle
Fighting Game-Themed Sneakers
Ceeze and Reebok Debuted Two Mortal Kombat-Inspired Sneakers
Boldly Tonal Patient-Designed Sneakers
Nike Unveils the 2024 Doernbecher Freestyle Collection
Luxury Whiskey Cocktails
Redemption Whiskey Boasts a Series of Delicious Cocktails
Celebrity-Approved Luxury Fashion Lines
The Louis Vuitton x Tyler, the Creator Line is Chic
Soda-Branded Sweatsuit Merch Lines
poppi Launched a Stunningly Playful & Stylish Sweatsuit Line
Refreshing Streetwear Collabs
Lipton Iced Tea x Cruel Pancake Dropped 90s-Inspired Summer Styles
Inspiring Apparel Collaborations
Skull and Chucks is a Bold Fusion of Skating and Martial Arts
Collaborative Vibrant Skate Sneakers
Crenshaw Skate Club and Nike Launch a New SB Dunk
Late Rapper-Themed Collections
Joshua Vides and Interscope Records Release a 2Pac Collection
Entertainment Industry Expansions
Starbucks Enters the Entertainment Industry as Starbucks Studio
On-Chain Luxury Fashion Collections
9dcc Unveils the Networked Products Collection
Vegan Celebrity-Inspired Sneakers
Nicki Minaj Teams Up with Løci for a New Footwear Collaboration
Characterized Haircare Campaigns
NEXXUS Debuts 'The Style Swap' Campaign Starring Lindsay Lohan
Musician-Approved Streetwear
Eli Brown's 92 Thing Drop 2 is Inspired by Underground Rave Culture
All-in-One Skincare Serums
The Hustle Serum Combines 11 Hard-Working Active Ingredients
Graphic Collaborative Streetwear
Born x Raised Joins Online Ceramics on the Born Online Capsule
Remixed Monogrammed Collections
The LV Remix Collection Celebrates Heritage While Looking Ahead
Craveable Soda Packaging
Sprite is Reviving Its Obey Your Thirst Campaign for a New Generation
Artist-Backed Breakdancing Sneaker
Futura Joins Nike to Decorate the Jam Sneaker Model
Whimsical Pop-Up Cognac Bars
Yinka Ilori Designed an Eye-Catching Pop-Up at Selfridges
Music-Informed Fashion Collections
Roc Nation and Moncler Join Forces on a New Capsule
Million-Dollar Bags
Louis Vuitton's Millionaire Speedy is an Exclusive Style with a High Price Tag
Clog-Expansive Sneaker Brands
Crocs is Officially Pushing More Boundaries in Sneakers
Anime-Inspired Fashion Collections
The DGK x Afro Samurai Collection Pays Homage to Japan
Rapper Smokeless Fire Pit Ads
Snoop Dogg Partners with Solo Stove for Smokeless Fire Pit Campaign
Rapper-Inspired Holiday Collections
Spencer's Introduced a Festive Snoop On the Stoop Collection
Loud Luxury Fashion
Moschino SS24 Pokes Fun at "Quiet Luxury" with Maximalist Styles
Whiskey Elegant Leisurewear
Chivas Regal x Falguni Shane Peacock Debut Luxe Tracksuit Collection
Branded Energy Drink Events
CELSIUS Energy’s Padel Classic 2024 Enriched Art Basel
Singer-Collaborative Fashion Capsules
Joe Jonas and Scotch & Soda Present a Joint Capsule
Next-Gen White Cognacs
White X Challenges Traditional Cognacs with a Fresher, Lighter Taste
Bouillon-Based Food Campaigns
Knorr Launches 'Fast Food Remix' Music Video Featuring Ludacris
Contemporary Skate Collections
Pro Skater Stevie Williams' DGK Releases the Cry Later Collection
Celebrity-Fronted Fashion Campaigns
The New Calvin Klein Campaign Features Many Celebrities
Influencer-Crafted Gin Cocktails
These Tanqueray Gin Holiday Drinks Celebrate Canadian Traditions
Celebrity-Headed Haircare Lines
Beyoncé Announces Her New Haircare Line: Cécred on Instagram
Limited-Edition Nightclub Prints
Sonic Editions' Studio 54 Collection Contains Rare Photos
Non-Alcoholic Electrolyte Cocktails
SMASHD Captivated Millennials & Gen Z with Its Debut Campaign
Hip-Hop Heritage Jerseys
Mitchell & Ness Partners with Brands to Launch a Special Jersey Range
Theatircally Filmic Champagne Campaigns
Piper-Heidsieck Debuts its 'Twist the Script' Campaign
Colorful Zodiac Motif Capsules
Dior x KAWS Partner Again for Menswear Inspired by Snakes
Creative Constellation Water Bottles
The Evian x Coperni Bottle Invites People to "Look Closer"
Fruit-Forward Vodka Cocktails
The Squeezed Vodka Cocktails Come in Three Flavors
Viral Video Databases
Viral Ideas Offers Inspiration for a Content Creator's Next Big Video
Y2K-Inspired Collections
Reebok and Juicy Couture Partner for Y2K-Inspired Capsule Collection
Kindness-Promoting Beverage Campaigns
Culture Pop Soda Partners with Point Guard Derrick White
Female Celebrity-Branded Whiskies
Beyoncé Debuts SirDavis in Collaboration with Moët Hennessy
Artist-Inspired Tequila Collaborations
1800 Tequila Partners with Dustin Yellin for Its Series
Athlete-Inspired Dramatic Sneakers
Nike and Off-White Join Forces on the Sheed Air Force 1 Mid
Collaborative Y2K Handbag Collections
Coach Teamed Up with Little Nas X for 'The Lil Nas X Drop'
Diva-Inspired Beauty Drinks
Paris Hilton Debuts the Iconic Tonic Beauty Drink with Joe & the Juice
Mediterranean Grooming Product Collections
The Harry's x Sean Brown Collection is Elegant
Patient-Created Sneakers
The Doernbecher Freestyle XIX Collection Shares Six Storytelling Designs
Basketball League-Inspired Apparel
Josh Denzel Unveils his First NBA Collection with Primark
Building Facade-Inspired Clothing
101% Unveils the New Seagram Collection of Apparel
Celebrity-Inspired Cocktail Menus
The Quote Book by Velvet Bar Shares Drinks Based on Icons
Culturally Inspired Canned Cocktails
Phreshly Targets Consumers Who are Tired of Hard Seltzers
Cocktail-Inspired Couture
Christian Siriano Spring/Summer 2024 Has Designs Inspired by Gin
Comedic Apparel Campaigns
Kevin Hart and Druski Launch the Fabletics 'Don Pant' with a Short Film
Dispensary-Cafe Concepts
Snoop Dogg Opened Two S.W.E.D. Shops for the Global Cannabis Community
AI-Generated Rap Music Videos
Snoop Dogg's Love You More Music Video Took Months to Create
Californian Canned Cocktails
Cali Cocktails Share the Taste of Agave Wine and Crisp Carbonation
Retro 3D-Printed Bags
Coperni's CD-PLAYER Swipe Bag Resembles a Portable Music Player
Nostalgic Fragrance Campaigns
Impulse & Frankie Bridge Faithfully Recreated Iconic 90s Looks
Custom-Made Boxer Outfits
Dominic 'The Surgeon' Ciambrone Crafted an Outfit for Devin Haney
Fighting Championship-Inspired Partnerships
New Amsterdam Vodka Launched UFC-Inspired Initiatives
Donut Inspired Ad Campaigns
Dunkin' Donuts New Ad Campaign is Called Dunkin'Terns
Cheeky Martini Ads
Grey Goose's Classic Martini Cocktail Ad Pokes Fun at Celeb Creative Directors
Sleek Whiskey Bottle Designs
BSB Whiskey & Jamie Foxx Debut an Exclusive Brown Sugar Blend Whiskey
Bespoke Red Envelopes
D'USSÉ Cognac & Humberto Leon Crafted Limited-Edition Red Envelopes
Millennium Technology Capsule Collections
The Drought x Napster Collection Has Three Pieces
Rapper-Backed Apparel Capsules
OVO Recruits Snoop Dogg, Birdman, and More for an NFL Capsule
Artistic Multi-Beverage Ads
The Coca-Cola Family is Spotlighted in this Unique Ad
Branded Short Talk Shows
Progressive’s Dr. Rick Appeared as a Guest on Hot Ones
NYC Barbers-Inspired Collections
PUMA and RHUDE Join Forces to Launch a Collaborative Range
Musical NFC Hoodies
Balenciaga's Limited-Edition Apparel Shares an Exclusive Music Track
Album-Inspired Clothing Capsules
Pacsun x Paris Hilton Present the Infinite Icon Collection
Multisensory Cooling Brandies
Paul Masson ICE Pairs Bold Citrus Flavors with an Icy-Cold Finish
Celebrity-Supported Energy Shots
T-Pain & Nappy Boy Dranks Launch Good Game Energy Shots
Branded Ready-to-Pour Cocktails
These Diageo Ready-to-Serve Cocktails Come in Three Options
High-End Spirit Canned Drinks
The Cîroc Red Berry Sparkling Vodka Drink Adapts to Growing Demand
Fragrance-Inspired Sculptural Installations
Shawn Kolodny Collaborates with House of Creed
Musician-Backed Minimal Sneakers
Skepta and PUMA Present the BLACK ICE PUMA SKOPE Forever
Basketball-inspired Fashion Collaborations
Mitchell & Ness Partners with Isiah Thomas
Commemorative Fatherhood Campaigns
Mitchell & Ness Highlights the Profound Influence of Fatherhood
Nostalgic Frozen Desserts
Snoop Dogg & Happi Co. Partnered to Create Dr. Bombay Ice Cream
Artistic Vodka Bottle Designs
Vodka by Saintwoods and Slumpy Kev Partner for an L.A. Exhibit
Hip Hop-Honoring Exclusive Campaigns
Hennessy and cHIP sHOP Join Forces on a New Campaign
Artist-Approved Tech Accessories
Velvet Caviar Partners with Artist Keith Haring on a New Capsule
Celebrity-Backed Whiskey Brands
Michael Bublé Announces the Fraser & Thompson Whiskey Brand
Bar-Quality Canned Martinis
Crystal Head is Sharing Its Own Take on Classic Cocktails
Canadian Rapper-Launched Fragrance Lines
Drake Goes into Beauty with Better World Fragrance House
Cultural Holiday Bottle Designs
Hennessy Launches Limited Edition Bottles for Chinese New Year
Rapper-Starring Fall Streetwear
Daily Paper Spotlights Headie One in New FW23 Collection
Lunar Celebration Cognacs
Maison Courvoisier & Jiannan Huang Collaborated on The Dragon Collection
College Campus Haircare Campaigns
African Pride and Impressions of Beauty Partnered on a Campaign
Rapper-Backed RTD Cocktails
Snoop Dogg and Dr. Dre Team Up to Launch the New RTD Cocktails
Imaginative Cocktail Menus
Dean & Nancy on 22's World of Dreams Menu Evokes Wonder & Exploration
Equestrian Heritage-Honoring Bag Capsules
Sprayground Joins the Compton Cowboys on a Collection
Rapper Collaborative Celebratory Whiskys
Stefflon Don and Chivas Regal Drop the Joint Chivas 12
Rapper-Approved Cannabis Drinks
These Cannabis-Infused Beverages Were Created with Snoop Dogg
Edgy Accessible Collections
DDG and boohooMAN Unveil Exclusive 'The Black Edit' Fashion Line
Celebrity-Backed Fragrance Ads
Axe Targets Generation Z with its New Star-Studded Campaign
Collaborative Penny Loafer Collections
Duke + Dexter Presents a Collaboration Alongside Playboy
Music-Centric Branding Initiatives
BACARDÍ Rum Partnered with the MTV Video Music Awards
Festive Vodka Campaigns
Patrick Schwarzenegger is Ketel One's First-Ever Spirit Advisor
Summer-Inspired Co-Branded Collections
Soho Yacht Club Joins Forces with the Emerging Limo Boyz
Sculptural Holiday Window Displays
Shawn Kolodny Collaborates with House of Creed
Black Heritage-Inspired Campaigns
Converse Launches the Black Joy Campaign and Collection for 2024
Perception-Redefining Brand Campaigns
Hennessy's Made for More Campaign Boasts a Striking Vision
Promotional Influencer Videos
Activision Recruits Multiple Creators to Appeal to Gen Z Consumers
Hardcore Hip Hop Collaborations
DGK Partners with Onyx to Commemorate BACDAFUCUP
Revamped Juice Overhauls
Ocean Spray Announces a Brand Overhaul with Modern Influences
Sitcom-Style Thanksgiving Campaigns
Whipshots & Patti’s Good Life Teamed Up to Make New Traditions
Disruptive Hairstyling Campaigns
Bed Head's The Lab of Life Breaks the Fourth Wall
Celebratory Hip-Hop Collaborations
Mitchell & Ness Collaborates with Legendary Graffiti Crew Tats
Rapper-Honoring Cannabis Strains
Death Row Records Cannabis Unveils a New 2Pac-Inspired Collection
Milestone-Celebrating Limited-Edition Bourbons
Gentleman’s Cut Honours Stephen and Dell Curry
Designer-Starring Streetwear Campaigns
Clint 419 is the Face of Supreme's FW23 Seasonal Campaign
Pioneering Podcast Creator Networks
Rich Roll is Launching a Network Called Voicing Change Media
Winter-Ready Dynamic Streetwear
Corteiz Presents a Look at its New Collection for Winter 2023
On-Demand Pumpkin Spice Deliveries
Whipshots and DoorDash are Delivering Spiked Lattes This Fall
TV Personality-Backed Promotions
Dominos Taps Simon Cowell for its New Marketing Campaign
Rapper-Endorsed Flame Stove Campaigns
Snoop Dogg Presents Solo Stove's Blunt Marketing Campaign
Miniature Artful Hip-Hop Landmarks
Danny Cortes Captures Iconic Hip-Hop Moments Through Art
Cocktail-Inspired Togetherness Activations
Smirnoff's Global Connectivity Initiative Launched