American rapper and hip-hop mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs will receive honours with the 2020 Grammy Salute to Industry Icons award during the annual pre-Grammys party next month.
Recording Academy announced today that the three-time Grammy winner will be honoured for his “continuous influence on the music industry and beyond”.
President/CEO of the Recording Academy Deborah Dugan praised Combs saying:
“For nearly three decades, Diddy has fused his boundless creativity and sharp entrepreneurial spirit to create timeless art and build brands and institutions that have shifted our global music culture.
“By bringing the music and lifestyle of East Coast hip-hop to the masses, he was an early reminder of music’s unifying ability to flip our perceptions and broaden our connections to all corners of the world.
Over the years, Diddy has persistently empowered other music creators. We’re honoured to celebrate his culture-shaping impact at this year’s Pre-Grammy Gala.”
Clive Davis, co-host of the Pre-Grammy Gala, and whose Arista Records was a distributor of Combs’ Bad Boy Records during its 1990s heyday:
“It’s personally so gratifying that Sean “Diddy” Combs is th2 Grammy 2020 icon. He fully deserves this wonderful recognition.
“From his past innovative and creative contributions right from the very inception of the hip hop revolution; to his many memorable appearances at the Pre Grammy Gala as both speaker and performer, it’s all come full circle. I couldn’t be happier for Sean as a dear friend and colleague.”
Combs started his career as an intern at Uptown Records. This began his journey to creating his own label, Bad Boy Records.
He made a name with Mary J. Blige’s 1992 debut album, “What’s the 411?,” at Uptown and Notorious B.I.G.’s legendary “Ready to Die” album at Bad Boy.
Then he went on to work with Mariah Carey, Method Man, Boyz II Men, Lil’ Kim. By so doing, he launched a career that reached far beyond the music world.
He also works in the philanthropic and political spheres with Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School. This helped fulfil his commitment to supporting education and empowering future leaders.