Former Bad Boy President Kirk Burrows details a time when Rolling Stone approached Bad Boy Records with a front cover opportunity after Biggie died, but Diddy selfishly refused to allow Biggie to be on the cover because he wanted to promote his solo album, "No Way Out".
Kirk Burrows, Bad Boy’s co-founding partner and president, recalls the moment after the tragic death of Notorious B.I.G. Rolling Stone approached Bad Boy about a cover opportunity, and Burrows advocated for the late rapper to take the spot.
“I was telling Sean, ‘Let’s make it Biggie. You still have a chance [for a cover in the future],’” Burrowes recalls. “He’s like ‘No, he’s dead. I’m putting out [Combs’ debut album, No Way Out] in July. I need to be on the cover of Rolling Stone.’”
Combs got his cover. Two years later, he acknowledged how Biggie’s death had been big business. “I think his passing added to the fame,” Combs told Rolling Stone in 1999.
This excerpt is from Rolling Stone's recent article "Bad Boy for Life: Sean Combs’ History of Violence."
(🎥 @RollingStone)
Insiders have confirmed and told Rolling Stone that Biggie was indeed preparing to leave Bad Boy Records before his death and that Biggie's lawyers were entangled in a legal battle with Diddy to get Biggie back his publishing rights before he was murdered.
According to insiders, Biggie had grown increasingly frustrated with Combs and was seeking more control over his career. Photographer Monique Bunn, who was close with Biggie, stated, “[Biggie] was absolutely about to leave Puff. I know for a fact [because] he told me that.” Another source added, “Everybody wanted to leave Puffy. Everybody leaves him.” This dissatisfaction was compounded by legal battles over Biggie’s publishing rights, which his attorneys were attempting to reclaim from Combs, further straining their relationship.
This excerpt is from Rolling Stone's recent article "Bad Boy for Life: Sean Combs’ History of Violence."
(🎥 @RollingStone )