Bad Boy for Life

The groundbreaking investigative account of the shocking rise and fall of the mogul who brought hip-hop to the mainstream, offering readers a behind-the-scenes look at the music industry and the destructive power of celebrity.

In Bad Boy for Life, journalist Cheyenne Roundtree’s investigative work builds upon the bombshell story she broke in Rolling Stone magazine, excavating the disturbing history of Combs’ alleged abuse and sexual violence. The world has watched his empire unravel, and now, Roundtree’s further revelations go deeper than what came out in the criminal trial, which only scratched the surface. Through meticulous reporting, interviews with scores of sources – many speaking out in depth for the first time – and cultural insights, she examines Combs’ rise to power and how he abused it.

If it wasn’t for Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs’ ability to harness the voice of hip-hop and package it via artists like Mary J. Blige and The Notorious B.I.G., the landscape of American – and world – music would look and sound entirely different. For decades, mainstream performers clamoured to be close to Diddy, his sound and his style – a brand of cool that ushered hip-hop culture to a multibillion-dollar place at the table. But while his innovations built an empire that reflected the biggest names not only in music, but also in fashion, business and the bright lights of Hollywood, another side of Combs was hidden from public view.

This is one of the most significant pop culture stories of our time, one that charts the path of an empresario while asking questions about accountability and justice; who is believed and who is silenced. In Bad Boy for Life, Roundtree offers a nuanced depiction of the man in full, one that assembles a comprehensive portrait of Combs’ astonishing rise and fall.

Cheyenne Roundtree is an award-winning investigative journalist at Rolling Stone, known for her reporting on the entertainment industry and for pursuing stories that expose abuses of power. Her work has been recognized by the Newswomen’s Club of New York and the LA Press Club. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she lives in Brooklyn, New York, with her husband. Bad Boy for Life is her first book.