DUB Daily

I buck clean about in a Phantom. / The people go screaming like an opera anthem I did it before, do it again I got to blow, gotta to spin — “Tell Me,” Diddy

It’s damn near impossible to keep up with Diddy. It almost seems that Sean Combs moves at the speed of light; and he stuns with his ability to be grander, flashier and even more flamboyant with every endeavor. Reportedly, he announced aspirations to be the next James Bond in November, a role he’s long clamored to play, and a role that fits his image as hip-hop’s favorite renaissance man.

His everyday life style has Bond-like allure—globetrotting, politicking, and driving his share of sexy cars. One moment he’s studying lines for his role as Walter Lee Younger on the Broadway revival of “Raisin in the Sun,” next he’s advocating on every urban street corner to “Vote or Die,” then, he’s in marketing executive mode, offering shrewd advice, and, don’t forget his role as savvy designer of the Sean John clothing line. He’s even the designer of the green Dallas Mavericks alternate jersey.

In 2005, Diddy returned with “Making the Band 3,” this time searching for the next female super-group, eventually discovering Danity Kane, a quintet composed of Shannon Bex, Aundrea Fimbres, Aubrey O’Day, Dawn Richard and Wanita “D. Woods” Woodgette. It has been announced that Danity Kane will be an opening act, along with the Pussycat Dolls, on Christina Aguilera’s Back To Basics Tour from early February to May.

Then, of course, there’s Diddy, the artist. Recently, his career focus has shifted to the release of his fifth solo album Press Play, as Bad Boy snuggles into its new spot on the Atlantic imprint. Press Play debuted at No. 1 on Billboard, further solidifying Diddy’s stamp on the entertainment world with songs like “Last Night,” featuring Keyshia Cole, “Everything I Love,” with Nas and Cee-Lo, and “Tell Me,” with Aguilera.

When Diddy makes moves, it’s a full-on production, and whatever he does, he manages to keep his public enthralled. That’s why, when he throws a party, invited guests show up early. When he pulled up in his limo to Club Stereo on October 17 for his Press Play album release party, the guest line was around the corner by 10:30 p.m.

He’s just as big overseas. A big soccer fan, Diddy recently arranged time to meet Manchester United of the English Premier League in Copenhagen, Sweden prior to the MTV European Music Awards. However, despite Man U’s best efforts to recruit him to their growing list of famous fans, Diddy decided to roll with his favorite EPL team, Arsenal F.C., which has inducted him as an honorary official member.

With Diddy, grandeur is to be expected, so it’s no surprise when he flaunts the finest steel money can buy. Among his toys, you’ll find a 2006 Maybach 62, 2004 Rolls-Royce Phantom and a Ferrari 360 Spider. Since Diddy is never one to be shy about his excesses, it’s part of his swagger in the studio.

My persona, Sean John unforgivable cologne / Copping the biggest diamonds makes me sorta bi-polar, Ferrari to Phantom, vehicles for high rollers / The studded chain around my neck makes the night colder — “Everything I Love”

When he’s taking care of business, meeting with Bad Boy Records artists like Cassie or Young Joc at his plush Manhattan recording studio—aptly named Daddy’s House—there’s a buzz in the air before he arrives—Puff’s on the way. As doors fling open and Diddy walks in surrounded by a respectful entourage, people are captivated.

Equally captivating is his liquid platinum 2006 Maybach 62 fitted with Michelin Pilot Sport 275/45R20 tires. Inside, sheepskin floor mats cut with Diddy’s logo are difficult to ignore. Sometimes, Diddy is spotted about town in his ’04 Phantom that rocks a set of 22-inch Sean John Zeus wheels.

Simple luxury is not enough when it comes to Sean Combs; things need to be over the top. Hence, the Sean John Mobile Office. What started out as an innocent Chevrolet cargo van underwent a unique conversion, becoming a four-wheel starship.

“Last year, we made it right before the music awards that he hosted,” said Matt Figliola, president of AI Design, who handled the vehicle’s transformation. “Everything had to be made. We cut the roof off and put extensions on to increase headroom. We built a partition from the driver cabin and main cabin. We were shooting for a non-limousine look and we wanted to make it look more contemporary, like a home space. Sean was heavily involved in it.”

Stocked with a stainless steel refrigerator, a wine chiller and a Power Mac G4 computer, the van’s interior has every option imaginable. An AMX Touch Panel controls the whole entertainment system. Look around and you’ll find a 32-inch Panasonic LCD video screen, 17-inch Digital Concepts LCD video screen, KVH TracVision satellite television with rooftop antenna and Direct TV receiver, Alpine F#1 Status head unit with DVD player, X-Box 360 and front- and rear-facing externally mounted video cameras. In addition, Diddy is able to pull up one of seven screens and set the mood lighting to his discretion from the comfort of an asymmetrical couch, beneath an equally plush ceiling.

That’s just how Diddy does everything—in a big way. He’s even lent his automobile savvy to other entertainers. T.I. credited him for helping tighten up his exotic and vintage collection. It’s why Lincoln tapped his shoulder to design a limited run of 100 Sean John Lincoln Navigators. Naturally, Diddy keeps his own Navi (which was featured in Funkmaster Flex’s 2004 Car Show tour) outfitted with 22-inch Sean John rims, suede seats, and an upgraded Alpine system. He’s also into vintage cars, owning a cherry red 1957 Chevy Corvette. To keep it hip-hop authentic, he’s recently copped the 2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV. Nonetheless, he still hangs onto his first Bentley, a powder blue 1999 Bentley Azure.

Whether he’s wearing his Arsenal F.C. jersey or dressed to the nines for another gala, Diddy has always maintained an aura about him that exudes elegance and opulence. The bad boy has always shown us how to play the game, all he wants now is for his fans to press play.