About Diddy Dirty Money
Diddy-Dirty Money [ca. 2010] is an American rap music group formed in New York City. The prime motivator is Sean “Diddy” Combs [b. 1969], whose credentials include singer, record producer, film actor, and all-round entrepreneur. His colleagues in this effort include singer Dawn Angeliqué Richard [b. 1983]—best known as a member of the musical group Danity Kane [2005–2009]—and singer-songwriter Kalenna Harper [b. 1982], whose hit songs have been recorded by artists as varied as Aretha Franklin, Charlotte Church, and the Pussycat Dolls.
The Combs-inspired concept album, Last Train to Paris, is the group’s only release to date; it debuted in December 2010. Produced by Bad Boy Records, which Combs owns, this work was the fifth studio album the rapper has released over the years. The thread it represents is an imaginary musical journey between London and Paris, with the musical elements representing electro-hip-hop fused with funk and soul. The Dirty Money duo (Richard and Harper) are ably assisted by a number of guest vocalists, including Grace Jones, Justin Timberlake, Lil Wayne, Usher, and The Notorious B.I.G.—the latter in an obviously posthumous “sampled” role, since he died in 1997.
Two of the songs from Last Train to Paris have gone on to enjoy significant commercial success on their own. “Hello Good Morning” was a certified gold record shortly after the album hit the streets, and “Coming Home” (which features Skylar Gray) rated double platinum during a similar time frame.
While Diddy-Dirty Money has yet to issue a second release, the group has appeared live in several high-profile venues to promote its existing material, as well as to perform covers of other artists’ works. For example, they were musical guest hosts on U.S. television’s Saturday Night Live the night of December 4, 2010. In January 2011, they performed two songs on the BBC Radio One program, Live Lounge.
Diddy Dirty Money Singles
Coming Home (feat. Skylar Grey)
Bad Boy/Interscope
12 chart entries peaking at #4 on Sunday 23 January 2011
