After Puffying and Diddying for almost a decade, Sean Combs is once again Puff Daddy. Teasing the lead single for his new album, the rapper revealed that he is changing back to the alias with which he first became famous.
The announcement came quietly, via a short trailer for Big Homie, Combs' upcoming track with Rick Ross and French Montana. The video offered more contemplative piano music than actual rap, leaving the real revelation to the title cards. Thirteen years after declaring "No more Puff Daddy," the Bad Boy mogul is back where he started. "For the record, I did not change my name," he tweeted last night. "I always have been and always will be PUFF DADDY! :)"
For the record, I did not change my name. I always have been and always will be PUFF DADDY! :) Be cool Man lol #MMM #BigHomie RT!!!!
— Diddy (@iamdiddy) March 25, 2014
Of course changing your showbiz moniker is harder, now, than it was in 2001. At the time of writing, Combs's Twitter, Facebook, Vimeo and Instagram accounts all still use Diddy. Perhaps they are still waiting for a formal "name-change ceremony", like the one Combs held when he became P Diddy. Speaking then to MTV News then, the MC promised his change wasn't "as serious as [for] Prince". Instead, he said: "I just want something fresh."
Combs has released two solo albums as Puff Daddy, one as P Diddy, and two as Diddy. The latest, 2010's Last Train to Paris, was by far the least successful of the rapper's career. It peaked at No 7 on the US Billboard chart, and No 24 in the UK.
Puff Daddy's fifth studio album, MMM, is due this year.
