Josh Mankiewicz

A free man, a second chance, a new chapter. Which version of Sean Combs would emerge next?

A free man, a second chance, a new chapter. Which version of Sean Combs would emerge next?

In 2001, Sean Combs was ready to resume life as hip-hop royalty. He was just acquitted on gun and bribery charges. His friend, rapper Shine, wasn't as lucky.

In 2001, Sean Combs was ready to resume life as hip-hop royalty. He was just acquitted on gun and bribery charges. His friend, rapper Shine, wasn't as lucky.

Jason King is dean of the Thornton School of Music at USC. He has followed Combs' career and life from fame to infamy.

Jason King is dean of the Thornton School of Music at USC. He has followed Combs' career and life from fame to infamy.

In fact, in some ways, he benefited from it. Getting tried and acquitted in that club shooting unquestionably helped him.

In fact, in some ways, he benefited from it. Getting tried and acquitted in that club shooting unquestionably helped him.

Because in that business, that's the reputation you want to have.

Because in that business, that's the reputation you want to have.

Bad behavior in the culture of hip-hop kind of go together.

Bad behavior in the culture of hip-hop kind of go together.

After the trial, Combs reinvented himself. He changed his nickname to P. Diddy, a name reportedly bestowed on him by his late friend, Biggie Smalls. And he set out to expand his profile and his empire beyond the world of hip-hop.

After the trial, Combs reinvented himself. He changed his nickname to P. Diddy, a name reportedly bestowed on him by his late friend, Biggie Smalls. And he set out to expand his profile and his empire beyond the world of hip-hop.

He jumped into reality TV, appeared in an Oscar-winning film, and took a bow on a Broadway stage.

He jumped into reality TV, appeared in an Oscar-winning film, and took a bow on a Broadway stage.

And even before the term influencer was coined, Combs was doing it.

And even before the term influencer was coined, Combs was doing it.

While Combs' public image was what the world saw, his personal life was a bit more complicated. His relationship with J-Lo did not survive the gun trial. He fathered children with several different girlfriends. Stylist Philip Block says it was an open secret that Combs had no shortage of sex partners and that after hours, the glitzy white parties were known to take on a different vibe.

While Combs' public image was what the world saw, his personal life was a bit more complicated. His relationship with J-Lo did not survive the gun trial. He fathered children with several different girlfriends. Stylist Philip Block says it was an open secret that Combs had no shortage of sex partners and that after hours, the glitzy white parties were known to take on a different vibe.