Rapper-turned-mogul Sean Combs has built a multimillion-dollar empire on everything you can think of: from music and fashion and fragrance lines, to movies and premium liquor brands and even a TV network. With “No Way Out 2”—his final album—currently in production, he recently sat down with Cigar Aficionado to discuss what’s next for his life and career.
On retiring from music for acting: “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 once last time.”
On fatherhood: “I have such a deep appreciation at being able to be a father. My father didn’t get the chance to be there for me. That makes me appreciate the opportunity that much more deeply. I stress the importance of that to my kids—that you can’t take having a family for granted.”
On what he finds sexy: “That’s the sexiest thing, to see a woman smoking a cigar—and to have her share one with you.”
On religion: “I was an altar boy, I was baptized as both Catholic and a Baptist. When I was growing up, we had a whole day of church on Sunday. So yeah, I was brought up in the faith…But I’m not a religious person. I consider myself a spiritual person.”
On his brand: “If it’s not authentic or in my wheelhouse, I shy away from it. Everything is part of creating this dream, creating this world: that, when you get up in the club to dance, you’re dancing to a record from my label, you have on a Sean John suit, you’re wearing a Sean John cologne—and you’re drinking Ciroc.”
On his first time listening to hip-hop: “I remember the first time I heard hip-hop: Frankie Crocker, this disc jockey on WBLS in New York, played ‘Rappers’ Delight’ by the Sugar Hill Gang for three hours straight – and it shook the world.”
On “No Way Out 2”: “The way I have to come back is exciting to me. If you’re not putting out albums all the time, you have to come back in a way that grabs attention. People are always looking for what’s next – but the cream always rises to the top. I’m going to make it the most honest and best that I can. If I can be fearless with it, nothing can stop me.”
On his Broadway run in 2004: “I’ve jumped out of an airplane and this was way scarier. It was standing-room only. And there’s nothing harder than live theater…It was one of the most beautiful experiences I’ve ever had. I feel honored even saying that I stood on a Broadway stage in this play by Lorraine Hansberry. That’s crazy.”
On aging: “I’m a 33-year old trapped in a 46-year-old’s body.”
On his legacy: “When I’m gone, only the songs will survive. I know I’m making music that will live on. I don’t go into the studio just to be hot or to hear myself on the radio. Michael 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 other thing like that is religion.”
June cover story of Cigar Aficionado hits newsstands May 3