He’s been a rapper, a runner, a political activist, a producer, and a party planner, and now Diddy is getting sultry and serious on his first album in five years. In fact, Press Play marks a lot of firsts for the modern renaissance man: It’s his first foray into R&B, the first album he’s done that won’t feature any samples, and the first time the rapper is singing on an album. Well, kind of. “It’s not like, singing,” he explained to Fox News. “It’s like fun singing.” While he didn’t borrow anyone else’s music for this album, it wouldn’t be a true Diddy affair if there weren’t some high-profile guests. Kanye West, Will.i.Am, Timbaland, Pharrell, Mario Winans, and Rich Harrison contribute writing and production, and guest vocalists include Brandy, Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Ciara, and Nicole Scherzinger from the Pussycat Dolls, who is featured on the first single, “Come to Me.”
Diddy did something else differently on this album. He got nervous. “You can’t believe how nervous I was about some of these,” he told Fox. “It was like jumping off a cliff into the ocean. But you know what? I found the water invigorating.” Fans can prepare to be invigorated (or drowned in R&B syrup, depending on your taste) when Press Play drops on Oct. 3.
Talk: Can Diddy cut it as a singer? COMMENT
On the Web:
diddyonline.com
badboyonline.com
