As I reflect upon my experiences attending Puff’s parties throughout the years, it’s undeniable that they were once a spectacle to behold – a whirlwind of glamour, extravagance, and unparalleled energy. However, like a phoenix rising from its ashes, the transformation in Puff over time has been as captivating as his initial rise to fame.
Nestled in a bustling downtown Manhattan side street, where celebrities and aspiring hopefuls vied for entry to the late-night bash that echoed into the early hours of 3 a.m., I found myself welcomed as the editor-in-chief of Honey, a prestigious urban women’s magazine. The crowd, an eclectic blend of artists, industry leaders, fashion designers, actors, athletes, entrepreneurs, and models, lounged comfortably in their luxurious red leather booths. Intermittent bursts of shimmering light accentuated the corners of this dimly lit, seductive space as waitresses in sleek black uniforms ignited sparklers and served Cristal to the many VIPs scattered around. The DJ spun hit after hit of hip-hop, keeping me glued to the dance floor for hours. Then, unexpectedly, the music softened, and our host, Puff Daddy (or Diddy or Love or Sean Combs, take your pick), climbed onto a table with a microphone.
“Everybody chill out,” he yelled. “5-0 is in the house.”
I cleared a sweaty strand of hair from my eye to get a better view as Puff spoke earnestly into the microphone, “Sir, Fire Marshal, I implore you not to close us down. Look at all these beautiful women here. Stay with us. I’ll buy the drinks.
It seemed like the fire marshal didn’t show much enthusiasm. As the lights brightened, the start of New York’s 2001 party season appeared to have ended.
Currently, Diddy’s experiences with law enforcement have undergone a dramatic change, as has his previously glitzy lifestyle, which was so vibrant until barely a year ago. He now finds himself indicted in federal court on charges of sex trafficking and racketeering, implicated in offenses such as kidnapping, arson, coercion of labor, and obstruction of justice. Known in the legal documents as Sean Combs, Diddy is confined to solitary detention in a Brooklyn prison without bail, situated not far from where he once orchestrated some of the most iconic parties in recent celebrity history.
That particular night holds a significant place in my memory from the early 2000s. It symbolized a remarkable phase, where hip-hop was at its peak, shaping an influential era that dominated the cultural landscape in New York City and beyond. During that time, urban culture largely revolved around parties; these events influenced fashion trends as designers often mimicked looks spotted at these gatherings and on the streets, provided platforms for rising DJs to gain popularity by drawing large crowds, altered the music distribution model as labels found success in promoting their artists through album release parties that rivaled weekend nights at exclusive clubs. This era of urban parties also transformed party culture itself, popularizing VIP sections with ropes, bottle service, and expensive champagne showers for partygoers. As a former lawyer from a major music label explained to me, “Urban parties weren’t just an expression of influence; they were influence themselves.
Back then, no one embodied the essence of party culture more profoundly than Puff Daddy. Surrounded by his circle of high-rolling athletes and captivating video models, protected by his security detail, and gifted with an eye for curation, Puff was not just a part of the scene – he was its mastermind, the driving force behind what was trendy, the magnetic draw for enjoyment, and the heart pulsing at the core of cultural influence.
Instead of hosting typical events like others, Puffy’s gatherings stood out as exceptional and iconic representations of a powerful voice and influential culture, setting them apart from the rest.
A gathering hosted by Diddy drew together an array of celebrities and influential figures, much like you’d see on the prestigious Met Gala red carpet, making an invitation to this event highly sought after. Figures such as Donald Trump, Anna Wintour, Clive Davis, Ashton Kutcher, former flame Jennifer Lopez, and Kim Kardashian were among those in attendance.
According to Rob Shuter, Diddy’s previous representative, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, it was Truman Capote who last threw a party like this, referring to Capote’s Black and White Ball. Shuter noted that Diddy excelled particularly in the area of public relations; he knew how to generate interest. Diddy was schooled in the art of publicity by Donald Trump, and he understood how to draw attention to himself.
Through his mentor, Andre Harrell, founder of Uptown Records, Puff came to embrace the ‘ghettofabulous’ attitude that was integral to all aspects of his work. Harrell’s interpretation of fashion and urban culture drew inspiration from Nicky Barnes, a flashy drug kingpin known for his appearance on the cover of the New York Times Magazine. This included designer suits, luxury cars, and lavish champagne parties. Uptown Records, where Puff honed his skills, wasn’t just about music; it was about promoting the Uptown brand, which embodied the ‘ghettofabulous’ lifestyle. A fashion enthusiast who blended high-end designer items with streetwear and a student of all cultures but a disciple of hip-hop and R&B, Puff was an ideal internal representative of what Harrell envisioned this lifestyle to be. He became the primary advocate and ambassador for ‘ghettofabulosity’.
Harrell mentored Puff, providing him with the foundation to establish Bad Boy Records and its associated events. While frequenting New York City’s Tunnel nightclub hip-hop events, Puff recognized that they lacked the desired atmosphere. Consequently, he elevated downtown club culture by crafting an exclusive ambiance through carefully selecting people, fashion, and opulent settings. Forbes magazine ranked these extravagant White Parties among the “World’s Hottest,” featuring custom white furniture, personalized dance floors, thousands of lights, acrobatic performances, fire shows, topless mermaids in pools, an abundance of lobster, steak, and weed brownies served on silver platters. By the mid-2000s, these lavish events were estimated to cost around a million dollars each, as per Jessica Rosenbloom, the White Party’s producer, who shared this information with Ebony magazine. Shuter notes that Diddy didn’t personally finance these bashes; instead, he always had a sponsor covering the costs.
The White Parties, led by figures like Diddy, transformed the previously exclusive and unwelcoming Hamptons into a hotspot for hip-hop culture and diversity. As Johnny Nunez, a renowned celebrity photographer of high-end urban parties since the 1990s, explains, “Initially, the Hamptons were predominantly white and affluent. Despite opposition from neighbors trying to halt Diddy’s parties, he successfully brought together people of various races and backgrounds. In one remarkable instance, Trump himself attended a White Party afterparty at Club NV in the Hamptons, arriving via helicopter.” Nunez continues, “Diddy invited renowned DJs from New York City’s nightclub scene to spin music. These socialites, accustomed only to listening to mainstream radio stations like Z100 and unaware of the richness of Black music, found themselves dancing to tracks by Bonecrusher and DMX or Luther Vandross and Stephanie Mills. The music served as a catalyst for cultural exchange. Today, the viral hip-hop dances on TikTok that span all races can be traced back to this cultural shift and Diddy’s introduction of Black music to the white elite.
Shuter agrees, pointing out that famous white celebrities were eagerly seeking the association with Diddy, as it would boost their popularity. “Their agents would request invitations for their top stars, hoping to get them into social events,” he explains. “Being in the company of a person of color would make them appear trendy.
Puffy transformed partying into an esteemed craft, and his gatherings became the most sought-after tickets during that era. If you missed out, you were socially irrelevant. Celebrities from top movies and series yearned for invites; athletes from the NBA and NFL relentlessly pursued connections; high-ranking Wall Street executives attempted, unsuccessfully, to purchase access. Yet, even those on the guest list were denied entry if their attire fell short. We spent days preparing our outfits for a Puffy party because we had to dress impeccably. It was Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Christian Dior, Fendi, Louboutin, Blahnik or nothing at all. The White Parties took it a step further, as one could not attend if they dared wear anything but pristine white. Puff had a public relations representative at the door who controlled the guest list, enforced the pure white dress code, and evaluated fashion sense. She didn’t hesitate to dismiss anyone, regardless of their influence, if their outfit was inappropriate or their feet peeked out from under their sandals. An invitation to a Puff party from the early 2000s, specifically a post-MTV Video Music Awards bash he co-hosted with Guy Oseary in midtown, epitomized the rigorous criteria for entry:
“If your shoes are scuffed, you’re going to have a problem. If you’re wearing jeans, you’re on the wrong track. Pull out the flyest sh*t in your closet, or have your stylist pull something for you,” with suggestions including Gucci, Dolce & Gabbana and his own Sean John collection. Men were told to get clean shaves; women were told “hair-dos, waxing, manicures and pedicures” were a must.
Shuter remarks that he was an exceptional ringleader in this case, as he embodied the spirit of our era’s P.T. Barnum. He orchestrated a spectacle, focusing intensely on every minute detail and generating widespread attention.
At the heart of interconnected circles of influence, there was a closely bonded group of exceptional Black individuals in the music industry. The ex-CEO of a record label recounts, “We found ourselves in an environment filled with gifted young executives who had never experienced such wealth before. Puff exposed us to a different lifestyle. He demonstrated what the pinnacle could be like. A-list creators from diverse backgrounds were eager to associate with us because we were the ‘it’ crowd!
During Puff’s time of lawful festivities, we’d often find ourselves socializing with the musicians whose tunes we were grooving to; we wore clothing from designers who sat at nearby tables, and we forged partnerships and secured magazine covers by dining with artists and athletes alike. The chance to shape cultural events alongside creators of culture was indeed remarkable.
Due to his exceptional knack for organizing events, Puff’s gatherings became iconic, influencing hip hop culture and spreading it globally. Before long, he was hosting bashes in St. Tropez, Ibiza, Miami, Morocco, and Los Angeles. And it seemed like everyone attended: Mariah Carey, Martha Stewart, Jay-Z, Lindsay Lohan, Howard Stern, Oprah Winfrey, Lil’ Kim, Donna Karan, Al Sharpton, Paris Hilton, Jermaine Dupri, Jon Bon Jovi. No matter the location, when you were at a Puff party, it was clear that you were among an exclusive, culturally diverse group of influencers, innovators, decision-makers, trendsetters, artists, and some of the most captivating cover models you’ve ever come across.
Although by the early aughts, Puff had become the undisputed leader of the ghettofabulous movement, Harrell didn’t see Puff’s interpretation as empowering. To him, the Bad Boy version was empty, full of glitter and gold with no inspiration. As Harrell told me in an interview before his death in 2020: “When I first met Puff, I could practically feel the fire coming from deep within his soul. Even though my hiring Puff as an intern put him in the game, it felt more like I was just getting out of the way of a bullet train, speeding inexorably down the track toward an ultimate goal. But the faster a train goes, the easier it is to jump the tracks.”
And that’s exactly what happened.
The initial Puff party I attended in 2000 contrasted significantly with the one in 2017. The first took place at his Hamptons residence as a White Party, while the latter was a Grammys afterparty at his LA mansion, which he invited me to because we were collaborating on a book. At the White Party, Puff was lively, rapping and energizing the crowd, showering VIP booths with Champagne, and embodying his phrase “grown and sexy.” In contrast, in later years, he didn’t appear joyful or party-loving; instead, he seemed uninterested and disengaged from his guests. He was often found sitting in a corner, surrounded by a crowd of strangers, looking dazed and unenthusiastic. At that last event, I recall Cassie standing close to him, mirroring his glassy-eyed and melancholic expression. Despite it being his party, there was no longer the characteristic Puffy party vibe.
At the beginning, I didn’t witness any illegal activities apart from some drug usage in hidden corners. However, there was an atmosphere of liberation at those early-year parties. Maybe it was because getting admission was so challenging that most of us, innocently, believed we belonged to a close-knit group where we could relax, dance on tables, and take tequila shots until morning. Unfortunately, what seemed like a secure environment turned out to be incredibly dangerous instead.
It’s no wonder that with absolute power, Sean Combs became corrupted – this was particularly true given the evolution of hip-hop music and culture from lighthearted to darker themes as gangsta rap grew popular. Alongside these glorified depictions of violence in gangsta rap emerged sexually explicit lyrics and urban imagery, which eventually led to widespread misogyny. Working in the male-dominated urban music industry, I came to understand that this misogyny and associated hypermasculinity often put me in unsafe situations, even at parties that once seemed harmless and fun.
It’s disheartening to observe the mixing up of Puff’s official circles during their peak period with the power misuse and immoral acts that have been recently accused, as outlined in legal records.
Reading the accusations against Diddy, it’s not hard to see how his extravagant parties might have been orchestrated in such a way that he held sway over those participating, allegedly. But there’s more to Diddy than just the charismatic party host. For instance, he was acquitted of gun charges in a 1999 shooting incident that left three people injured and led to a multi-year sentence for his protege Shyne, who later claimed he took the blame for Diddy. Additionally, Diddy is known as the mogul who physically assaulted Steve Stoute in his office due to his displeasure with the direction of a Nas-Diddy music video. The felony charges were dropped at Stoute’s request and the case was settled out of court.
Despite Sean “Puffy” “Diddy” “Love” Combs significantly shaping urban culture, the scene of urban parties has evolved beyond his bacchanalias. Nowadays, branded events at Cannes, Martha’s Vineyard, and Sundance have taken over, and Michael Rubin’s annual Hamptons White Party has become the go-to spot for socializing. Keeping it moving!
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2024-10-04 16:55