sean john combs (born november 4, 1969), also known by the stage names puff daddy, p. diddy, puffy, brother love, or diddy, is an american rapper, singer, record producer, entrepreneur, record executive, and actor. combs was born in new york city but was raised in mount vernon, new york. he worked as a talent director at uptown records before founding his own record label, bad boy entertainment, in 1993.