Diddy recently announced his newest venture, Love Records, where he plans to focus solely on R&B music. But let’s take a look back at his previous attempts to revamp R&B music.

Diddy took to Twitter last week to ask who killed R&B. This started a whirlwind of backlash for the Hip-Hop mogul. Even several artists had something to say to Diddy. He eventually went on Instagram live to talk to a few leaders in the R&B space currently. He then tweeted out some clarity on his question.

This hooplah has got the 21Ninety team thinking about all the times Diddy has tried to take matters in his own hands to shake up the R&B space.

Da Band

Da Band was Diddy’s first attempt to revamp R&B culture in the early 2000s. This was the first group under Diddy to come out of MTV’s “Making The Band.” The group was made of four rappers – Babs, Chopper, Freddy P, and Ness – one reggae artist, Dylan – and one singer, Sara Stokes. The group was able to go on to create their first studio album and go on a U.S. tour before trouble started to brew. Band members would miss rehearsals, shows and appearances, some memebers wanted to go solo and others didn’t have a supportive family in their background. Ultimately Diddy disbanded the group, only to keep Ness, Babs, and Chopper on his label who never released music while signed to Bad Boy Record. Eventually they each decided to end their contracts.

Danity Kane

Danity Kane was Diddy’s first successful attempt in his “Making The Band” journey. The group consisted of five members; Aubrey O’Day, Andrea Fimbres, Dawn Richard, Wanita “D. Woods,” Woodgett, and Shannon Bex. The group released two number one albums and went on tour with Christina Aguilera before headlining their own tour. But alas, the group held the same fate as Da Band. Due to fights and many members wanting to go solo, the group officially disbanded in 2014. In 2018, the group reunited. Only Aubrey O’Day, Dawn Richard and Shannon Bex returned to the group.

Day 26

For the final installment of “Making The Band,” Diddy created an all male R&B group. Robert Curry, Brian Angel, Willie Taylor, Qwanell Mosley, and, Michael McCluney all made what we know today as Day 26. They ended up going on tour with Danity Kane on a joint multi-city tour. The group’s self-titled album peaked at number one on the Billboard charts. In 2009, Qwanell parted ways with the group due to financial and managerial issues. The remaining members tried their hand at a second album but ended up disbanding in 2012. The group did, however, reunite in 2013 and completed a 10-year anniversary tour in 2017.

Diddy-Dirty Money

Diddy came back and gave us some promise with Diddy-Dirty Money! The group consisted of Diddy himself, Kalenna Harper and former Danity Kane member Dawn Richard. They gave us hits like Love Come Down, Hello Good Morning, and Loving You No More. Diddy ended up disbanding the group in 2012.

We are excited to see what comes of the new Love Records. If it’s one thing that we know about Diddy, he has an ear for good music!

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