Brian Buckmeyer

Then P. Diddy in the early 2000s. Then in 2005, he became just Diddy. He explained why to MTV.

Then P. Diddy in the early 2000s. Then in 2005, he became just Diddy. He explained why to MTV.

There was also a Sean John period. And believe it or not, a swag era. That only lasted a week, though. And in 2017, Diddy announced a new name for himself on social media.

There was also a Sean John period. And believe it or not, a swag era. That only lasted a week, though. And in 2017, Diddy announced a new name for himself on social media.

He declared he'd entered his love era, even legally changing his middle name to Love. He told the New York Times he was remaking himself with the help of therapy and psychedelics. And this name change, this rebrand, it was something he'd been trying to make happen for years. He talked about it in interviews like Vogue's 73 Questions.

He declared he'd entered his love era, even legally changing his middle name to Love. He told the New York Times he was remaking himself with the help of therapy and psychedelics. And this name change, this rebrand, it was something he'd been trying to make happen for years. He talked about it in interviews like Vogue's 73 Questions.

And on talk shows, like the BBC's Graham Norton Show, even using the marriage equality slogan, love wins. This is the ultimate goal. I have become love, and love wins. Love wins!

And on talk shows, like the BBC's Graham Norton Show, even using the marriage equality slogan, love wins. This is the ultimate goal. I have become love, and love wins. Love wins!

Culture reporter Justin Tinsley says just like all of his other name changes, this new one was a way to get attention and stay relevant.

Culture reporter Justin Tinsley says just like all of his other name changes, this new one was a way to get attention and stay relevant.

In 2018, Diddy went on The Breakfast Club, a popular radio show out of New York that for a while was simulcast on his television network, Revolt. The host said they noticed he was in fact different from the Diddy they used to know.

In 2018, Diddy went on The Breakfast Club, a popular radio show out of New York that for a while was simulcast on his television network, Revolt. The host said they noticed he was in fact different from the Diddy they used to know.

He said that he was no longer the antagonistic, hot-tempered Diddy that people might have seen in the past. The Diddy that came from a certain environment that he says made him act out.

He said that he was no longer the antagonistic, hot-tempered Diddy that people might have seen in the past. The Diddy that came from a certain environment that he says made him act out.

The Breakfast Club hosts brought up the 2015 UCLA incident, the one where Diddy had allegedly assaulted his son's college football coach with a kettlebell. Diddy said, quote, I put all of that in my past. He continued to push the idea of spreading love, being love, bringing people together, getting closer to God.

The Breakfast Club hosts brought up the 2015 UCLA incident, the one where Diddy had allegedly assaulted his son's college football coach with a kettlebell. Diddy said, quote, I put all of that in my past. He continued to push the idea of spreading love, being love, bringing people together, getting closer to God.

And culture critic Jamila Lemieux says he really embraced the family man persona, too.

And culture critic Jamila Lemieux says he really embraced the family man persona, too.

After the unexpected death of Kim Porter, Diddy's ex-girlfriend, he really began promoting his image as a single dad. He took custody of their 12-year-old twin girls, posting on social media, "'New day, new life, new responsibilities. Kim, I got this, just like you taught me.'" People Magazine referred to Diddy as a proud papa and highlighted quality time he spent with his kids.

After the unexpected death of Kim Porter, Diddy's ex-girlfriend, he really began promoting his image as a single dad. He took custody of their 12-year-old twin girls, posting on social media, "'New day, new life, new responsibilities. Kim, I got this, just like you taught me.'" People Magazine referred to Diddy as a proud papa and highlighted quality time he spent with his kids.