Music’s bad boy has made good.
Adding yet another accolade to his collection of wins, mega magnate Sean “Diddy” Combs, 53, is poised to receive the distinguished Global Icon Award at MTV’s 2023 Video Music Awards on Sept. 12.
“He’s a legend in hip hop, a multi-industry mogul, and now… the GLOBAL ICON at this year’s VMAs,” MTV tweeted Tuesday, announcing the “Bad Boys for Life” lyricist’s forthcoming honors.
The network’s top-tier trophy is reserved for either a solo artist or band whose unparalleled career and influence has achieved international acclaim in the entertainment industry and beyond.
And Diddy — who helped spur the successes of music greats such as Lil’ Kim, 49, Mary J. Blige, 52, Faith Evans, 50, and the late Notorious B.I.G., as well as dominated the worlds of fashion, politics and education — has done just that.
The native New Yorker and father of seven will accept MTV’s prestigious laurel during the annual award ceremony’s live broadcast from Newark, New Jersey’s Prudential Center. The show will be held at the famed arena for the second year in a row.
In addition to receiving praise for his decades-long, worldwide impact, the “It’s All About the Benjamins” baron will, too, make his long-awaited return to the MTV stage with a special performance during the award show. The showcase will mark his first VMAs act since 2005 — when the big shot hosted the ballyhooed fête from Miami.
Diddy also stands to take home four moon-people statuettes this year for his work on hit tracks “Creepin’ (Remix)” and “Gotta Move On.” He’s earned two nominations for best collaboration, as well as nods in both the best rap and best R&B categories.
But the “I Need a Girl” luminary isn’t the only big-stepper who’ll be shinning in the VMAs spotlight.
Taylor Swift, 33, stands head and shoulders above her musical peers, leading this year’s nominations with eight noteworthy acknowledgments. And “Hips Don’t Lie” hotshot Shakira, 46, has been tapped to received the illustrious Video Vanguard Award.
Diddy is in good company, indeed.
The rapper’s Global Icon Award honor will closely precede the release of his highly anticipated R&B masterpiece “The Love Album: Off the Grid” set to drop on Sept. 15.
He forewarned competitors about the power of his impending anthology on Instagram Tuesday, saying, “I’m not gonna play with you mother f – – kers.”
“We’re going into full-fledged savage [mode],” bragged the tycoon in the video post while wearing a shirt that read: “An album you can f – – k to!”
“Y’all ready for this f – – king smoke?” he yelled, just before ending his excited rant with his iconic tagline, “I thought I told you that we won’t stop.”
