Sean “Diddy” Combs took the viewers on the 2023 VMAs again in time when he carried out a medley of hits like “I’ll Be Lacking You” and “Dangerous Boy for Life” earlier than accepting the World Icon Award.
The artist often called Puff Daddy additionally carried out “I Want a Woman (Half Two),” and “Final Night time,” with particular visitor Keyshia Cole. This was his first efficiency on the VMAs since 2005.
“Puff’s impression on popular culture is immeasurable. His iconic music movies redefine the shape. His world affect is eternally felt throughout the whole music business,” Mary J. Blige mentioned when introducing the legendary hip-hop mogul and pioneer. She additionally invited Combs’ daughter, Probability, to the stage to assist current the award to her father.
“That is so surreal,” Combs mentioned whereas accepting the glory. “I respect y’all coming and giving me my flowers and celebrating me.”
He continued, “I obtained to thank God as a result of that’s my secret weapon. You recognize, it don’t matter what faith you’re, however be sure you know there’s the next energy of affection and I wish to simply say, I give all glory to God. Thanks a lot. It is a dream come true.”
Combs recalled watching MTV as a baby and wishing “sooner or later I may very well be up there.” He mentioned he began off working as a paperboy at age 12 earlier than aiming to be an NFL soccer participant for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t know this,” he quipped, earlier than saying {that a} leg damage took him out of the game.
He mentioned he ultimately discovered his strategy to music when individuals would ask to forged him of their music movies. “That’s how I fell in love with the music business,” he added. “I noticed the executives and I wished to chase that dream. So I wish to thank each government, each producer, each songwriter. I gotta thank the Dangerous Boy Household as a result of with out them I might not be up right here.”
“You simply obtained to maintain dreaming. I do know generally we get hit with these arduous issues,” he mentioned. “God made one other alternative, and I thank God for this alternative that he made for me to have the ability to contact you with my music, provide you with time, make you dance, make you’re feeling good. That’s the one intention, and in addition ensure that all of us get the identical 24 hours. You recognize what I’m saying? So once we got here within the recreation, we got here in as bosses, we got here in as kings, we got here in as queens and that’s what’s up.”
Combs concluded by thanking his group and followers for believing in him.
The rapper and music producer acquired the World Icon Award for “his unparalleled profession and continued affect that has achieved unequalled world success in music and past,” MTV mentioned when asserting the glory.
All through his in depth music profession, Diddy scored two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, in addition to 5 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Sizzling 100 chart. He has additionally beforehand gained VMAs for greatest R&B video in 1997 and the viewer’s alternative award in 1998.
This yr, Combs was nominated for 4 different awards for his work on “Creepin” (Remix) and “Gotta Transfer On,” together with two noms for greatest collaboration, greatest rap and greatest R&B.
The 2023 VMAs aired stay from New Jersey’s Prudential Heart on Tuesday.