
Sean "Diddy" Combs
Sean "Diddy" Combs To Receive Industry Icon Honor At Pre-GRAMMY Gala
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs has been named 2020 GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons honoree. Recognized for his 25-year trailblazing career and continuous influence on the music industry and beyond, the three-time GRAMMY winner and multi-hyphenate's musical accomplishments will be celebrated at the annual Recording Academy and Clive Davis Pre-GRAMMY Gala on Saturday, Jan. 25, 2020, the night before the 62nd GRAMMY Awards.
Combs started his career as an intern at Uptown Records, which began his journey to creating his own label, Bad Boy Records. He has fostered talent that includes Mariah Carey, Method Man, Boyz II Men, Lil’ Kim and more. His musical legacy lives far beyond the studio, stage or streams. As an established actor and executive producer in film, television and on Broadway, his cultural influence expands to his digital cable network REVOLT and its experiential development initiatives, including the REVOLT Summit. Combs continues to apply the same drive and entrepreneurial spirit to his philanthropic work and political activism with Capital Preparatory Harlem Charter School, helping fulfill his lifelong commitment to supporting education and empowering future leaders.
“It’s personally so gratifying that Sean “Puffy” Combs is this year’s icon. He fully deserves this wonderful recognition,” said Davis, co-host of the Pre-GRAMMY Gala. “From his past innovative and creative contributions right from the very inception of the hip hop revolution, to his many memorable appearances at the Pre Grammy Gala as both speaker and performer, it’s all come full circle. I couldn’t be happier for Sean as a dear friend and colleague.”
Combs joins a prominent list of previous honorees, including Herb Alpert & Jerry Moss, Clarence Avant, Irving Azoff, Martin Bandier, Sir Richard Branson, Shawn "JAY-Z" Carter, Clive Davis, Ahmet Ertegun, David Geffen, Berry Gordy, Lucian Grainge, Debra L. Lee, Doug Morris, Mo Ostin, and Antonio "L.A." Reid.
“Clive Davis and Arista Records gave me a chance when I was starting Bad Boy Records, he was one of the first industry executives to really believe in me. I’m forever grateful for him,” said Combs. “To be honored at this year’s Pre-GRAMMY Gala and receive the Industry Icons Award is truly a blessing.”
For the past decade, the invitation-only Pre-GRAMMY Gala has included a presentation to honor industry luminaries through the Recording Academy's GRAMMY Salute To Industry Icons award. Sponsored by Delta, Ford, Hilton, JBL By Harman, IBM, and Mastercard, the night has become one of the music industry's most distinguished events as it convenes music’s most innovative and influential creators and professionals.