I choose "die!"

In "The Future," off Press Play (or, as Fresh awesomely calls it, "Press Skip"), Diddy claims that he has, "the potential to be the first black president." I seriously doubt that the virtually humorless Diddy has the capacity to exhibit irony (or even define it), and so I am left believing that he really thinks this. It would, after all, explain his out-of-character founding of the Citizen Change/Vote or Die! campaign. He wasn't being selfless; he was attempting to ensure future support.

My question is: does anyone of voting age actually like him? I'm not talking about jealous admiration or appreciation of whatever music he decides to attach his name to that he may or may not have had a hand in creating. I mean him, his character, what he has to offer. He would seem to have little faith in this himself, as more often than not on Play, he makes like a guest rapper or chorus ho, only popping up occasionally and always out-shined by the outsourced talent ("The Future," is in fact, the only full-length track that doesn't feature a guest -- there's not enough sonic space anyway, what with all the ego). Anyway, if you or someone you know actually likes Diddy, and you're of legal voting age, please be heard. I'm interested.

As for Press Play, I have to defer to popular opinion -- the second half of it is better, and when it's great (and it sometimes is), it's all because of the guest talent. It reminds me of just about anything Madonna did after "Vogue" -- when it works, it does so in spite of the star attached. For a great Press Play review, check out Will Hermes' write-up in Entertainment Weekly. I can't remember the last time EW ran something as witty and well-informed about R&B/hip-hop.

One thing that isn't mentioned in that article is Press Play's sole perfect track, "Last Night," which features Keyshia Cole on lead vocals (suck it, Bill). Basically, this is Nelly Furtado and Timbaland's "Promiscuous" without the back-and-forth, boy/girl twist of Positive K's "I Got a Man." I don't know if Keyshia's ever sounded more impassioned, and you know that girl could get worked up over hygiene products. Here, I think you should have it.

Oh, and the request for Diddy love-sharing was serious. I want to hear your story. You fascinate me already.

Comments

[Rocco]

I made a sandwich for him one time when i was working at a deli when I was fifteen cause i got caught doing coke in my parents hot tub so they made me get a job.

It was sorta embaressing caause he also lived two houses down from me in a big pink house.

[Leanne]

I dated a guy who was a personal assistant for Diddy. I liked the guy, but didn't want to let on I thought his boss was a douchebag. Got to meet him and it turned out I was right. What bothers me the most isn't the blatant waste of riches that could go to people more deserving (although that's certainly part of it!) It's the fact that he's not as street/down to earth/normal guy/approachable as he thinks he is. In a nutshell, I feel three things about P.Diddy, and I know I'm not alone:

1. The guy has no sense of humor what so ever.

2. He's still riding the coattails of Notorious BIG and I genuinely feel embarrassed when he trots out his name at every interview or awards show.

3. The guy has no musical talent other than talking over other artist's work. He needs to stay in the studio or in the boardroom before he embarrasses himself...like his "Make arms like an airplane and trot in a circle" dance move.

[Abby]

It would make a mediocre comedy movie. Like that one where Chris Rock was all, "The rood is on fire!" and then all the Washingtonians were all "Oh noes!!"

...Yeah.

~shini

[LVW]

I didn't buy the album, but heard it online before it came out. I wasn't really feelin it. I actually liked the 1st half better than the 2nd half though. I read that "Press Play" was inspired by love--both from Kim and JLo. He just needs to stick with what he does best and that is...?

[Mara]

got the album for free-99 off the net and i find his youtube vids more entertaining.

seriously.

i also always wonder if biggie was still alive, where exactly would "diddy" be in the entertainment biz today.

oh, and apropo of nothing, i put most of his album in the recycle bin after previewing it, along with john legend. (i do this to conserve disk space until i burn the songs to a cd). for whatever reason, my comp went beserk and deleted EVERYTHING in the bin EXCEPT FOR DIDDY'S SHIT. go fucking figure.

i blame diddy.

[Tremayne]

He's a spiffy dresser! (most of the time...)

[Shot of Love]

I admire Diddy for one reason. He's beyond driven, and a pro bullshit artist. It's truly impressive that he made all that money with all that lack of talent. I say with complete seriousness, it is a gift. I would vote for him if he ran for President, if only because he would wear Sean John suits instead of the navy blue suit, red tie, white shirt, flag ensemble that has become the politician's uniform. Have you seen that ad with Bill Clinton and George Bush? Clinton looks sharp. Taupe suit, white shirt, orange tie. One more reason why I love Bill -- he tapes an ad with a Bush and dresses like Vince Vaughn in "Made." At least Diddy would bring some style to the circus.

[princemoney]

young kids like diddy.

voting age cats know the truth.

Rich get the new dungeon fam mixtape. it is amazing.

[Takeitoutside]

Haven't heard the album yet, but I must say he has got to be THEE corniest man on the planet..Seriously, Orville Redenbacher ain't got shit on him. I was watching 106&Park (I was channel surfing!!) and he looked so uncomfortable/stupid. Yelling out random phrases and giving Biggie shot outs. The mindless teenagers had no choice but to go along with it...It was quite painful to watch.

With that said. I would probably vote for him

[rod]

I know many, many Diddy fans. Well, knew. Let's just say in the mid-90's I was friends with many, many transsexual prostitutes.

[Max]

My 10th grade English students are genuinely and unironically excited about seeing him in A Raisin in the Sun when it gets aired later in the year. Does that count? (One of my students asked, "Do you think he'll sweat as much as Danny Glover did in the version we watched in class?")

I had my picture taken with him six years ago at a store opening in NYC. I called him "Mr. Combs." I like to think he found it endearing, but I couldn't tell, as he was pretty blank and dead-eyed then, too.

[Queen Lena]

Leanne up there is right on point with the "'Make arms like an airplane and trot in a circle' dance move." I laughed for like 5 minutes.

And like Shot of Love up there, I admire and hate all at once his ability to completely bullshit his way through life AND make millions. Amazing.

But in conclusion, I still think he's an asshat and he needs to get off of Biggie's dick already. Puffy, he's dead! Stop exploiting your supposed best friend's death for money already! (And yes, I'll call him Puffy til the day he dies; no one gets to make up their own nickname except for me).

[Ruth]

I don't think that anyone who is obscenely wealthy should be President, period. Having money does not make you entitled to become a leader. Diddy is a prime example of this. He is severely out of touch with reality. He's from Harlem, for heaven's sake... I've lived in Harlem. I know what it's like there. The future is bleak for children growing up in the neighborhood he's abandoned for his multi-million-dollar empire and flashy lifestyle.

I think the path to wisdom is harder for the rich than it is for the poor. When you don't live the way the rest of us do, when you don't see everyday tumult and hardship, how can you govern a nation benevolently and wisely? You can't. Diddy has become so full of himself that he's convinced himself he's worthy of the Presidency.

I wish Giuliani would run for President. I'd vote for him. He turned the filthy, dangerous city of my childhood into a visibly healthier, happier and safer place.

Incidentally, how many times has "Diddy" changed his name? He was Puff Daddy, then Puffy, then P. Diddy, now just Diddy... Oy.

[Tiffany]

I just wanted to say that you're awesome for putting the Sleepaway Camp banner up.

[In the Minority]

I am well beyond voting age...and I like Diddy. (stop laughing, please) He intrigues me. Despite his overblown ego, I think he realizes that he is very lucky to be where he is right now. He is not particularly talented, but he is extremely driven. I respect people that have to work extra hard to get ahead in life, and I really think he has done that.

Having said that, I don't think that I have ever financially supported anything he has ever been involved in, except that I watched bits and pieces of Making the Band 3 (the Danity Kane version). (again, stop laughing)

Slightly off topic, one of my favorite quotes that I have ever read is from him, and it is something along the lines of "I pay like 50% in taxes and I am ok with that because it means that I am rich." True.

[Stephanie]

let's just take a moment to remember in the last presidential election, this man DID NOT VOTE. Probably too busy stealing other people's music. What an egotistical tool.

[wil C]

True Dat. Puff is corny, which is why i refuse to acknowledge him by any other name. I will give him respect for being a success, but I still don't like him. I remember seeing Keyshia drop vocals for that track on an episode of her show...I knew it was gonna be hot. When does her next album come out?

[rebeccak]

i'd vote for him. because he's not a white dude. mix it up! and because he has the right friends. better a president that allies himself with biggie and keyshia than say...dick cheney or even teresa hienz kerry. driven and kinda retarded but able to recognize a sick beat (thanks for the track rich) is better than boring and/or evil.

plus, maybe he sweat as much as Danny Glover in Raisin in the Sun!

(laughing, Max)

am i a raciss for that?

[Janie]

did you dig cryla banks tonight?

[Daniel]

Artistically useless money-grubbing wanker.

[Avatar]

Dear Rich,

This has nothing to do with Puffy. I just wanted to say "fuck you" to Bravo, Michael Kors, Heidi "Coke-Rail-Narrow Nose" Klum, and Nina (fucking) Garcia.

Oh, and Tyra? What the fuck does "whirledwin" mean, you know-it-all biatch?

[theidlereceptionist]

Diddy sounds like a twelve year old boy coming off a helium high.

I agree with you, his songs sound good inspite of him.

[christiaan]

i've heard five songs from the album, the one with christina aguilera, fergie, brandy, nicole scherzinger, and now keyshia cole.

he's definitely more back up vocals than leading man material.

that whole vote or die campaign was a mess just standing.

[Leia]

I love the Sleepaway Camp banner!!! Took me a minute to place it but who could forget that scene?

[bryce]

Who is Diddy? I seriously have no idea what his music sounds like. All I know is he has some cheese ball party in the Hamptons every year and was (shock!) involved in a shooting with J. Lo. Yawn. I wish America's youth was a bit more interesting.