Sean 'Diddy' Combs Launches New Label, Love Records, In Partnership With Motown Records

Sean "Diddy" Combs just announced the launch of his new R&B label, Love Records, in collaboration with Motown Records. The rapper previously handled and will continue to oversee his long-running label, Bad Boy Entertainment. The brand had artists like Faith Evans, The Notorious B.I.G, Craig Mack, and many others.

The rapper announced his retirement as an artist in 2016, claiming that he wanted to leave the entertainment scene at a "great place." He further cited icons like Micheal Jackson as artists whose music continued to live after them, according to him, like a "religion."

With his recent label launch announcement, the 52-year-old revealed his intention to come back to music. Love Records will reportedly release Combs's newest album as its first project.

Combs is reportedly launching a new R&B label called Love Records after finalizing the deal with Motown Records. Per Variety, the announcement of the new label read that it "will be dedicated to R&B music and will release singles and collaborative projects from a collective of world-class artists, producers and songwriters."

The statement also revealed Combs's official return as a musician. Love Record's first project will reportedly be the record executive's own album and will be released this summer. Talking about the new Record label, he mentioned his intention of making "timeless R&B music" along with the next generation of producers and artists.

The rapper previously disclosed his intention to leave the music scene in the early 2000s, then again in 2016 following the release of "No Way Out 2." His last musical work was a mixtape was released in 2015 titled "MMM (Money Making Mitch" and featured several famous artists.

Talking about his new record, the rapper said, "Music has always been my first love; Love Records is the next chapter is about getting back to the love and making the best music of my life. For the label, I'm focused on creating timeless R&B music with the next generation of artists and producers."

The entrepreneur continued, "Motown is the perfect partner for my album, and I'm excited to add to its legacy." Combs will reportedly still hold the reins for his older record label, Bad Boy Entertainment.

In response, the record label's chairwoman and CEO of Motown Records, Ethiopia Habtemariam, said, "This is a major moment for Motown, as Combs 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."

Despite his successful and influential role in the 1990s music industry as a rapper, label head, and producer, the artist left music for entrepreneurship in the 2000s. Talking about his love for entrepreneurship, he said, "I've always been a businessman first. Even when I pursue my passion in the music industry, I do it from the perspective of an entrepreneur."

The artists the rapper previously closely worked with were Mariah Carey, Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G, Jennifer Lopez, Kanye West, Boys II Men, Britney Spears, Faith Evans, Total, 112, Mase, Craig Mack, and several other talents.

When he returned to the music scene, it was to set up the reality show "Making the Band" with Danity Kane, and then he partnered with Janelle Monae. Combs reunited several early artists from his Bad Boys Entertainment label in 2016 for the "Bad Boy Family Reunion" tour and the movie documentary a year later.

Via People, in 2016 Combs revealed his desire to retire from music to "devote 100 percent of [his] time to doing films." The artist said, "I'm going to put out my last album and devote 100 percent of my time to doing films. I want to stop at a great place. 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."

He added that his music would be the only thing that would remain if he passed, and he wanted to leave behind only music that would live on. "When I'm gone, only the songs will survive. I know I'm making music that will live on," Combs said.

The producer continued, "I don't go into the studio just to be hot or to hear myself on the radio. Micheal Jackson, Tupac, Biggie— part of them lives on in their music, even though they're not here anymore. That's really deep, man. The only thing like that is religion."