“I have learned to enjoy the ups for what they are, because those are the moments that feel like they go by the quickest,” says Combs. As one of the highest grossing hip-hop stars in history, Combs has been enjoying his current ‘up’ for quite some time now. From the crime-filled streets of Harlem to the lavish luxuries of Hollywood, Combs has shot to international stardom. What were his factors of success?
He Defied the Odds: As a poor, black boy in the slums of New York City, few people would have looked to Combs as having the potential to succeed. He was exposed to a life of violence at a young age and could have taken the easy route, following in the footsteps of his father. But, his mother told him he could be more; she told him he could be anything he wanted. Armed with that faith, Combs set out to defy the odds.
He Worked Hard: Whether it is a radio interview, a marathon for charity, or a meeting for the launch of his new line of shoes, Combs uses his every minute to the best of his ability. And, he has always been that way. From his early internship at Uptown Records to his position today as CEO of Bad Boy Entertainment, Combs is not afraid to roll up his sleeves and do what it takes to get the job done.
He Connected With His Market: From fragrances to SUVs to clothing, Combs created an identifiable style with his products and by personally endorsing them, he was doing his part to create a new attitude and lifestyle brand. He mixed the chic of the runway with the grunge of the streets to start a new trend in the fashion industry. Combs wasn’t just about the clothing; he was about giving rise to a new culture of cool.
He Was Creative: Before Combs, nobody had thought to fuse the sounds of rock and rap. Two distinct genres, the idea that combining them would result in anything pleasing to the ear let alone something that could be commercially successful was far-fetched to say the least. But, this sort of creativity on Combs’ part would characterize his entire career. He was not afraid to take chances and go in directions others hadn’t yet. Indeed, he believed that was the only way true innovation and creativity would grow.
He Was Focused: He ran a 26.2-mile marathon with an injured knee; he continued to produce successful music while enduring the woes of a lengthy criminal trial; and he managed to do both while remaining a devoted father. As a producer, writer, clothing designer, rapper, singer and actor, it is largely Combs’ ability to focus on that which he wanted to accomplish that enabled him to succeed in all of his different endeavours.
He was one of the driving forces behind the movement to bring hip-hop into the mainstream and has since become one of the wealthiest people in the entertainment industry. In addition to his clothing line, Combs’ new focus is on developing his career as an actor, and there is little doubt in his mind that he can do it. “Anything you put your mind to, anything you want to accomplish, you put your faith in God's hands, you can do it,” he says.
It’s a Rap: How Sean Combs Achieved Success
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