Sean “Diddy” Combs received the Global Icon Award tonight (Sept. 12) at MTV’s 2023 Video Music Awards.
Combs’ kids – Chance Combs, 17, Jessie and D’Lila, 17, walked the red carpet as they awaited their father’s big recognition. They gushed to E! News, “We’re proud of everything he’s accomplished over all of these years. We love you so much, you’re our biggest inspiration. We’re very proud of our dad. We can’t wait for you to perform tonight.”
Legend Mary J. Blige presented the rapper with the prestigious award. Combs shared a few words, thanking his team and everybody that brought his career to new heights.
“This is a dream come true. I grew up watching MTV like, ‘Man, I wish I could be up there. I started out as a paper boy, y’all, at 12, and then I was going to be a NFL football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers,” admitted Diddy. “The team didn’t know this, but I planned on being a football player; then my leg got broke.”
He continued, “That’s how I fell in love with the music industry.”
The Global Icon Award originated from MTV’s Europe Music Awards as Red Hot Chili Peppers was awarded this award in 2022 following Foo Fighters in 2021.
The singer performed a medley of his biggest hits including “I’ll Be Missing You,” “Bad Boy for Life,” “I Need a Girl Pt. 2” and brought out Keyshia Cole to sing “Last Night.”
The rapper has been nominated for four VMA awards, including Best Collaboration for “Gotta Move On” featuring Bryson Tiller, Ashanti, and Yung Miami, which is also nominated for Best Rap. His work on Metro Boomin’s “Creepin’ (Remix)” alongside The Weeknd and 21 Savage is also nominated for Best Collaboration and Best R&B.
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This is Diddy’s first performance on the VMAs since 2005, when he hosted the ceremony and performed alongside Snoop Dogg and Notorious B.I.G.
The rapper and record producer is set to release his fifth studio album, The Love Album: Off the Grid this Friday through Love Records and Motown. The album is brimming with A-list names as Justin Bieber, Babyface, John Legend, H.E.R, 21 Savage, French Montana, Jazmine Sullivan, Ty Dolla Sign, Swae Lee, Kehlani and more are all featured on the 23-track collection.
This marks his first release since his 2010 collaboration with Dirty Money, Last Train to Paris. Did you watch the buzz-worthy performance? If so, let us know what you think by leaving a reaction below or by sending us a tweet at @celebsecrets.
For more coverage from the 2023 MTV VMAs, click here.
