Diddy Returns Publishing Rights To Bad Boy Artists

As Hip Hop celebrates it’s 50th anniversary one of it’s most influential players makes waves again, with the news the Sean (Diddy) Combs has returned record label’s publishing rights back to it’s artists.

Bad Boy artists including the likes of Mase, The Lox, Faith Evans, 112 and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. have reportedly all signed agreements to take back their publishing rights.

Bad Boy representatives declined to disclose the terms of those deals however discussions with artists and songwriters allegedly began in May 2021 after Diddy rejected several offers to sell Bad Boy’s catalogue.

While asserting the move is “part of a broader goal of promoting economic empowerment for Black artists and culture,” per a statement released on Diddy’s behalf, his detractors have cited the fact that publishing rights can only be held for 35 years.

Founded in 1993, Bad Boy Records has sold over 500 million records, produced 38 platinum singles and earned multiple Grammy Awards.