Twenty-five years ago, Diddy released No Way Out, his first album as an artist after serving as an executive and producer for others throughout the decade. Puff Daddy & The Family, his crew at the time, included The LOX, Ma$e, the late Black Rob—all featured on the cover art, and artists like 112, Faith Evans, and Carl Thomas sprinkled throughout the chart-topping, seven-times-platinum LP. The Bad Boy Records release arrived less than five months after the murder of The Notorious B.I.G., Puff’s friend and flagship artist, who is also featured on the LP.

At the 2022 BET Awards, Sean “Puffy” Combs received the night’s Lifetime Achievement Award. Joining a list that includes Prince, James Brown, Whitney Houston, and Queen Latifah, Puffy received the special award in style. In a video vignette, JAY-Z explained his friend and In My Lifetime, Vol. 1/American Gangster producer’s impact. “The whole mantra: ‘Can’t stop, won’t stop,’ is [saying that] you’ve got to be relentless. You’ve got to have a bit of crazy; you can’t take no for an answer,” shares Jay, who co-founded Roc-A-Fella Records not long after Bad Boy launched. “You have to make it happen—he embodies that.” He draws comparisons in upbringing to Combs. “Puff was the first one that came through and made us feel like it was us. He was ghetto-fabulous. We took our rightful place at the tables in the boardrooms and them fashion shows, and we arrived.” Moments later, Hov says that Puff taught peers that they could “be in these spaces without assimilating” to other cultures. “We can be in these spaces as ourselves.” He calls his collaborator (and frequent Forbes list rival) “the ultimate coach.”

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Along with JAY-Z, Kanye West paid tribute to Puffy. Appearing in a hat, sunglasses, and a facemask, the enigmatic producer-turned-superstar shared “How do we crown our kings? How do we appreciate our kings? To think how far we could just make it off of inspiration,” Kanye said. West spoke about Puffy’s production prowess. He recalled trying to emulate Puffy’s sampling process and his percussion shakers. “I was signed to Bad Boy without him knowin’,” said the artist who reportedly ghost-produced for Deric “D-Dot” Angelettie, one of Bad Boy’s biggest hit-makers. “That statement is not legally binding,” he joked. In 2015, it was reported that Kanye was joining Puffy’s ever-changing ensemble.

He proclaimed “[Diddy] is my favorite artist. You see what I’m saying? Favorite artist. Everything. Not specifically production, the drip. You know, back then it was so many rules to Hip-Hop, and he broke all of them, and broke down all the doors, and understood contracts—in a way a lot of us still don’t. [He] understood money in a way a lot of still don’t. I go to him for advice, to this day. He inspires so many of my choices.”

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Notably, ‘Ye appeared to suggest that Diddy inspired him to marry Kim Kardashian. The statement garnered a crowd laugh. West also spoke about Puff’ giving him the confidence for a name-change, the necessity to take time out of the spotlight, and more. The G.O.O.D Music founder said everyone in the room should be there for Puffy, and jump when he asks something of them. Then, the man of the hour took the stage.

Puffy emphasized the power of God in his life, as well as his mother—who was in attendance. “This is your night,” said the mogul. He also praised Andre Harrell, his late mentor, as well as another mentor, the late Heavy D. He also spoke about mourning the loss of Kim Porter. Puff’s former spouse and the mother of three of his children passed in late 2018, from complications related to a pneumonia. He then saluted Biggie Smalls, who he calls “The greatest. Period.” Puff acknowledged The Hitmen, his producers, as well as various Bad Boy executives and staff, plus Howard University. He also personally praised Bobby Brown, who he crowned “The King.”

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In 2022, some of Puffy’s crew of the 1990s and beyond reunited to celebrate his 30-plus-year legacy in music. At the 2022 BET Awards, lots of artists paid tribute. A medley began with a nod to Puffy’s tenure as a transformative Uptown Records executive. Three-fourths of Jodeci, including K-Ci & JoJo performed the remix of “Come & Talk To Me.” In 1992, Puff produced the remix to the Forever My Lady single by K-Ci, JoJo, Devante Swing, and Mr. Dalvin. Then, Mary J. Blige (2019’s BET Awards Lifetime Achievement Award-winner) took the stage for a commanding rendition of “I’m Going Down.” Puffy co-produced MJB’s Rose Royce cover alongside the late Chucky Thompson as part of Mary’s My Life campaign at MCA/Uptown. Even after Combs had launched Bad Boy, he remained active in the career of artists he developed at Uptown.

As the set moved to his Bad Boy Records era, Puffy took the stage to perform “Victory,” the triumphant second song on No Way Out. The rendition included Biggie Smalls’ rap—though not Busta Rhymes, who appeared later. Perhaps the biggest surprise in the tribute came from Shyne, an artist who only released one solo LP on Bad Boy. Shyne did the Barrington Levy-assisted song, which brandished the label’s name in 2000, wearing a suit. After years spent in Belize, the dazzling performance marked a comeback for the artist who has appeared on projects by The Game, Red Cafe, and Matisyahu over the last decade. Notably, Shyne spent more than eight years behind bars for his role in a December 1999 club shooting where Puffy, Jennifer Lopez, and others where three people were left injured. The incarceration derailed the career of the Brooklyn, New York MC whose voice and delivery drew comparisons to Biggie. Last year, Shyne told the press about his process with forgiving Diddy. The artist left Bad Boy by the mid-2000s, before landing briefly at Def Jam.

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Another former Bad Boy act who had mended fences with their mentor, The LOX, performed “It’s All About The Benjamins.” Lil’ Kim appeared for her feature verse. After the Queen B seemed to fumble her legendary opening to the 1997 track, Puffy joined her to assist the Junior M.A.F.I.A. alum regain the moment and finish strong on a song that set the LOX up for success, and helped define the so-called “shiny suit era.”

Busta Rhymes then hit the stage for “Pass The Courvoisier” (now rebranded “Ciroc This Way”). Over 20 years ago, Puffy joined B.R. on the Genesis hit. After that, a neon “Love Records” sign hit the stage, where Diddy performed his latest single, “Gotta Move On,” featuring Bryson Tiller (who also appeared). The self-produced record marked the perfect inclusion following Uptown and Bad Boy Records chapters.

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Then, Puffy closed out his concert with “I’ll Be Missing You.” The 1997 song originally dedicated to Biggie Smalls was re-purposed for the late Kim Porter. Before the emotional close, Kim paid tribute on screen with words of love and encouragement. “Baby girl Kim, this one is for you,” touts the MC who won a Grammy for The Police-sampling tribute. Faith Evans and a choir appeared for the performance, accented by dancing and earnest words from Puff.

#BonusBeat: Ambrosia For Heads’ What’s The Headline podcast’s 2020 interview with The LOX: