Bad Boy for Life

A groundbreaking investigative account of the shocking rise and fall of the mogul who brought hip-hop to the mainstream, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry and the destructive power of celebrity

If it wasn’t for Sean “Diddy” Combs’ ability to harness the voice of hip-hop and package it via artists like Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G., the landscape of American—and world—music would look and sound entirely different. For decades, mainstream performers clamored to be close to Diddy, his sound and his style—a brand of cool that ushered hip-hop culture to a multi-billion-dollar place at the table. But while his innovations built an empire that reflected the biggest names not only in music, but also in fashion, business and the bright lights of Hollywood, another side of Combs was hidden from public view.

In Bad Boy for Life, journalist Cheyenne Roundtree’s investigative work builds upon the bombshell story she broke in Rolling Stone magazine, excavating the disturbing history of Combs’ alleged abuse and sexual violence. The world has watched his empire unravel, and now, Roundtree’s further revelations go deeper than what came out in the criminal trial, which only scratched the surface. Through meticulous reporting, interviews with scores of sources–many speaking out in depth for the first time–and cultural insights, she examines Combs’ rise to power and how he abused it.

Ultimately, this book uses the narrative of Combs’ life to tell a much bigger story about the ascension of hip-hop, the music industry as a whole, and the sinister aspects of fame. This is one of the most significant pop culture stories of our time, one that charts the path of an empresario while asking questions about accountability and justice; who is believed and who is silenced. In Bad Boy for Life, Roundtree offers a nuanced depiction of the man in full, one that assembles a comprehensive portrait of Combs’ astonishing rise and fall.