sean john combs was born on november 4, 1969 in manhattan's harlem in new york city and was raised in mount vernon, new york. his mother, janice (smalls), was a model and teacher's assistant and his father, melvin earl combs, served in the u.s. air force and was an associate of convicted new york drug dealer frank lucas. at age 33, melvin was shot to death while sitting in his car on central park west, when combs was 2 years old.