Published by Cel Manero from Global One Media, Inc.
“Diddy Clarifies the ‘Love’ Moniker and Credits David Bowie for Inspiring His Ever-Changing Name: ‘David Bowie … was always able to give you different artistic personas. But for me, my real life is my art, and so there’s been different eras,’”
Sean “Diddy” Combs Enters His “Love” Era, Credits David Bowie for Name Inspiration
During an appearance on The Graham Norton Show, the 54-year-old rapper, Sean “Diddy” Combs, shared that he has embraced a new phase in his life and career, symbolized by his middle name change two years ago from “John” to “Love.” He attributed the idea to David Bowie, acknowledging Bowie’s ability to adopt various artistic personas.
Responding to host Graham Norton’s inquiry about the significance of “Love” in his new name, Combs explained, “David Bowie. I was always a fan of his, and he was always able to give you different artistic personas. But for me, my real life is my art, and so there’s been different eras.”
He went on to recount the various stages of his career, from the ‘Puff Daddy’ era to ‘P. Diddy’ and ‘Diddy,’ leading up to his current phase. “Now, this is the ultimate goal,” he stated, emphasizing that he has become “Love.”
When asked by Norton if he should refer to him as “Love,” the “I’ll Be Missing You” singer admitted that it can be “confusing.” Diddy clarified, saying, “Y’all call me Diddy. Call me Diddy, but when I’m being ‘Love,’ and I’m in that mood because I have to always remind myself that we live in a toxic world and it’s love vs. hate. That’s what’s going on right now. And I choose love.”
He emphasized his commitment to the name “Love” and the positive message it carries, stating, “That’s my new name, and love wins. Love wins, let’s go y’all!” to the audience.
In May 2021, Combs announced the change of his middle name by sharing a photo of his updated driver’s license on Instagram. The caption read, “Look what I just got in the mail today… 🖤💫✨⚡️,” accompanying the photo of the Florida ID. He declared, “IT’S OFFICIAL!!! WELCOME TO THE LOVE ERA.”
In addition to the ID image, Combs posted a snapshot of himself writing “Love” inside a heart, featuring various versions of his signature above it.
The name change served as inspiration for his new EP, The Love Album: Off the Grid, released in September. This project marked Diddy’s first solo album since 2006’s Press Play, featuring hits like “Come to Me” with Nicole Scherzinger and “Last Night” with Keyshia Cole.
Speaking about the album on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Diddy explained, “The thing about it is the game that goes with it. It’s The Love Album, but you have to go off the grid. That means you have to get with your significant other and turn off your Wi-Fi, lock the door, put on a red light, put on this album and then just go with the flow.”
