Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Signs With Interscope Records

It’s pretty big industry news, we’ll spare the commentary and just give the details from the press release:

Multiplatinum-selling and three-time Grammy-winning Sean “Diddy” Combs, one of the best-known and most successful recording artists and producers in the world, has signed with Interscope Geffen A&M, it was announced today by Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of Interscope Geffen A&M. The new label deal will include all Diddy’s future music ventures and his upcoming album, Last Train To Paris, will be the first release on the new joint venture between Bad Boy Records and Interscope. The single “Love Come Down” will be serviced physically and digitally this week with a video, directed by Rage, to follow shortly.

Said Iovine: “Puff is a rare person in the music industry today, that can move the culture in many areas – fashion, TV, music – as well as making records. Whenever a free agent like him comes along, which is rare, you grab him.”

Diddy leaves Warner Music Group (WMG) imprint Atlantic Records after five years. The current Bad Boy roster and catalog will remain with Bad Boy’s WMG joint venture.

Said Diddy: “I am excited to be partnering with Jimmy Iovine and the Interscope Records family on all my future music ventures which include my career as a recording artist and upcoming record label. With this new deal, I look forward to signing music’s next great superstars to the label and continuing the legacy of making great music at my new home. This is the beginning of a new musical era for Bad Boy.”

His sixth studio album, Last Train To Paris follows 2006’s Press Play, which debuted at #1. Three of his five albums have reached #1 and the other two peaked at #2. His 1997 debut No Way Out was seven times platinum and the following three certified platinum. Ten singles as a solo artist have reached the Pop Top 10, including a pair of #1s. As a featured performer, he has been heard on six more Pop Top 10s, including three more #1s. He won his third Grammy for the #1 “Shake Ya Tailfeather” from the Bad Boys II soundtrack, which he executive produced. Diddy has also produced chart-toppers for superstars including Aretha Franklin, Sting, Jennifer Lopez, Mary J. Blige, Janet Jackson and the Notorious B.I.G. To date, Diddy has sold more than 75 million records worldwide.

As CEO and founder of Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group, Combs oversees one of the world’s preeminent urban entertainment companies, encompassing a broad range of businesses including recording, music publishing, artist management, television and film production, recording facility, apparel and restaurants. He was recently named “One of the Most Influential Businessmen in the World” by Time Magazine and CNN.

Can’t stop, won’t… etc.