Sean (Diddy) Combs has been around the world and gained lots of success, but when he reflects on his childhood there’s a huge loss – – his father.
“My father was a drug dealer so I learned early in life that there’s only two ways out of that,” he said in the video segment “Confessions.”
The piece aligns with the launch of Diddy’s latest venture, Revolt TV.
“I’ve never spoken openly about my father … but launching @Revolttv moved me to share and let ppl kno the truth,” he tweeted Wednesday along with the video, which was taped in his New York apartment at 5:47 a.m.
By using the platform to discuss one of his most personal childhood experiences, the media mogul revealed the truth behind his father, Melvin Combs’ passing.
“My father was killed when I was 3 yrs old,” he wrote.
Although the 43-year-old entrepreneur’s dad was shot and killed at 33, eliminating the chance for them to have a relationship, Diddy expressed how he still had an impact on his life.
“They say you can’t miss something you never had, but that’s only a little ways right. There’s definitely been times as I’ve gotten older that I’ve missed my father – – his presence – – not being here,” he said.
His emotional admission brings Combs’ larger-than-life persona more in line with the everyday man who could relate to the absence of a father figure.
“Not having someone to ask manly advice,” he continued. “The things that you would ask your father. Also things that you would celebrate with him that would make him proud.”
While his father chose street life, the Bad Boy Records CEO took those lessons and marched down a very different path.
“Sometimes you can’t just answer why things happen but I definitely think the route I went on – – staying out the streets and hitting my books and trying to be somebody – – I think he played a role in that,” he added.
The father of five has been extremely successful in music, film, fashion, and even with his Ciroc liquor brand. With a reported net worth of $580 million, Diddy ranked first on the Top 50 Richest Rappers on CelebrityNetWorth.com with Jay Z coming in second.
@iamdiddy Your story is a MAJOR source of inspiration for @SaintRecords and all the young black kids trying to build and innovate. Bless!
— solange knowles (@solangeknowles) October 24, 2013
Beyonce’s sister Solange Knowles retweeted Diddy’s video and wrote: “Your story is a MAJOR source of inspiration for @SaintRecords and all the young black kids trying to build and innovate. Bless!”
Before concluding his video confession the teary-eyed celeb added: “My father’s name was Melvin Combs and I’m Melvin’s son, Sean Combs.”