Sean “Diddy” Combs is officially returning to the music business.
On Tuesday, the Bad Boys Records founder-turned-Ciroc vodka entrepreneur announced that he has signed an exclusive one album deal with Motown Records.
The deal also includes a new record label imprint appropriately titled Love Records, since Diddy changed his name to “Love” in 2017.
“Music has always been my first love,” Combs said in a press release. “Love Records is the next chapter. [It’s] about getting back to the love and making the best music of my life,” he added.
Combs retired from music in 2016, telling Cigar Aficionado magazine that his “No Way Out 2” album would be his last.
“I want to stop at a great place,” he said. “And a final album is a great place to stop. I want to take a victory lap, to do a world tour and really enjoy it one last time. And then I want to do different things and have different experiences.”
He says he’s ready to enjoy the music again, and new label Love Records, “will be dedicated to R&B music and will release singles and collaborative projects from a collective of world-class artists, producers and songwriters” said the release.
“For the label I’m focused on creating timeless R&B music with the next generation of artists and producers. Motown is the perfect partner for my album and I’m excited to add to its legacy,” Combs said.
Motown CEO and chair Ethiopia Habtemariam added, “This is a major moment for Motown, as Diddy is one of this century’s most important voices in music and culture… To be a part of his next evolution and album is nothing short of monumental.”
The announcement comes as Diddy prepares to host and executive produce the Billboard Music Awards for the first time on Sunday.
“This will be unlike any awards show. I’m bringing the love and setting the frequency at an all-time high,” he said.
