Sean “Diddy” Combs became the first male rapper to receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday (May 2), during a ceremony that drew the largest crowd in event history.
Fans wearing Sean John “Harlem to Hollywood” t-shirts packed Hollywood Boulevard, while fans with posters screamed “Diddy” and “Bad Boy” as they welcomed Combs.
“Today is one of the best days of my life. Today is proof that if you believe, all your dreams can come true. I’ve gone from Harlem to Hollywood,” Combs told the crowd.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced that May 2, 2008 has also been declared Sean Combs day in Hollywood.
“I never imagined this, I never dreamt this. This is a dream come true that I wasn’t dreaming,” said Combs.
“If it wasn’t for the Hip-Hop community I wouldn’t have got this star,” Diddy told AllHipHop.com. “I always love getting recognized for positive things. Sometimes we always get recognized for some things that are negative, [so] to be recognized for something positive is truly a blessing.”
Combs accepted his award family style, along with his mother, sister, long term girlfriend Kim Porter and all of his children by his side.
“It’s so inspirational to so many. I think that when people receive an honor like this their children are more inspired, they have more fire and more determination to walk in the footsteps of their great father,” L.A. Reid told AllHipHop.com of Combs being honored. “The beauty of today is really watching Sean with his children. Sharing that moment and having them present to understand the impact of their fathers work.”
Many of the friends that Diddy grew up with in Harlem flew in to support as well.
“This thing here is historical for the fact that I know where Puffy [Combs] came from and I know where he’s at,” said pioneering rapper Doug E. Fresh. “We wanted to make sure that he got that full support of Harlem. He started coming up in the streets performing and partying [and] now look – a star on The Walk of Fame.”
Among others in attendance were Russell Simmons, Jamie Foxx, Danity Kane, Day 26, Arsenio Hall, Bishop Don Magic Juan, Big Boy, and Derek Luke.
“I’ve been blessed to lay along side of some of my heroes. Sidney Poitier, Frank Sinatra, Quincy Jones, Denzel Washington. Everything I do everyday, I try to be a shining example of hard work, and what you get if you work hard,” Combs told fans.