Diddy
names Malcolm X, Steve Jobs, and more as his inspirations, says a sense of responsibility
comes with his standing on Forbes " lists.
Hip Hop entrepreneur Diddy spoke briefly on the impact the Notorious B.I.G.
has had on his music career during a recent interview with Vlad TV and revealed
that the late rapper serves as a muse for who he hopes to become. Diddy also
said that hearing Biggie rap encouraged him to push his limits as a musician.
“Words can’t really describe it,” said Diddy when asked about
Biggie’s impact. “You know? He’s really the foundation of
like almost everything I’ve done musically. He made me believe in the
impossible. Cause hearing him rap it was just—I was hearing something
that I couldn’t believe I was hearing. So, it made me push the limits
of what I was doing musically and as a producer. You know, he’s constantly
a muse of what I strive to be and he’s the definition of greatness.”
In addition to Biggie, Diddy spoke on the other figures both past and present
that have inspired him throughout his career. Among those the Bad Boy Records
founder says have inspired him are Malcolm X, Steve Jobs, and Bill Clinton.
“When I just look at people that have a positive effect on just the world
in general,” he said. “I really am a big fan of Bill Clinton. You
know? I’m a big fan of his impact. I’m a big fan of Muhammad Ali.
Big fan of also Steve Jobs. As far as from a visionary aspect of things. But
I’m also a bag fan of Stokely Carmichael. You know what I’m saying?
Who really told it how it was and how it is. And what it was gon’ be.
And that kind of fuels me too. And that’s probably some things people
don’t know about me, but if I could fuse myself into all those people.
I mean, I would throw Malcolm X up in there too. They’re just people that
weren’t afraid to change the world. And that’s not saying I’m
gonna become a political type of leader or anything like that. But just me being
a leader in general. Just taking on that responsibility and putting others before
yourself is something that I can say I’m evolving into. I can’t
say I’ve mastered it yet…Also, take the responsibility of being
#1 on the Forbes. Because with that comes responsibility.”
In addition to founding Bad Boy Records in the early 90s, Diddy is also owner
of the Sean John clothing line and works closely with the Diageo-owned Ciroc.
Most recently, he helped launch Revolt, a music cable network that is “dedicated
to the creators of this generation.”
Diddy’s various business ventures recently helped the entrepreneur secure
a spot on both Forbes " "The World "s Highest-Paid Musicians 2013" and
“Cash Kings 2013” lists.