Diddy has proven himself to be much more generous than was previously believed, as he’s now returned the lucrative Bad Boy publishing rights to their rightful owners: the artists.
According to TMZ, artists such as Ma$e, The LOX, and the estate of The Notorious B.I.G. all now have the rights to their own music, as do the songwriters on several of their biggest hits. Faith Evans and 112 have also reportedly been given back their publishing.
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What’s more, sources with direct knowledge of the deal told the outlet that Diddy was offered “nine figures” for the catalogue, and chose instead to revert the publishing rights back to the artists.
“We’re told the rationale for this boils down to wanting to revolutionize the industry with this to empower artists and to switch up the dynamic — which has been a certain way for a long time. As part of his legacy, Diddy’s hoping to enrich others in his community,” reported the outlet.
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While this new, more artist-centric approach seems to be Diddy’s calling card as of late, things weren’t always this way. Back in January 2020, Ma$e took to Instagram to blast his ex-boss’ way of doing business.
Murda Ma$e claimed Puff took advantage of him by giving him just $20,000 for his publishing rights when he first joined Bad Boy and later turned down his $2million offer to buy back his catalog.
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His outburst came after Diddy gave a lengthy speech at Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy gala, in which he scolded the Recording Academy for not “respecting” Black Hip Hop and R&B artists.
“I heard u loud and clear when u said that u are now for the artist and to that my response is if u want to see change you can make a change today by starting with yourself,” Ma$e wrote.
“Your past business practices knowingly has continued purposely starved your artist and been extremely unfair to the very same artist that helped u obtain that Icon Award on the iconic Badboy label.
“For example, u still got my publishing from 24 years ago in which u gave me $20k. Which makes me never want to work w/ u as any artist wouldn’t after u know someone is robbing you & tarnishing your name when u don’t want to comply w/ his horrendous business model.”
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However, last week, Cam’ron took to Instagram to hint that Ma$e had received his publishing back from Diddy.
“My n-gga murder had to sit this one out. He just got his publishing back from Puff. Just finished the paper work for that yesterday,” he wrote in the caption. “Congrats @rsvpmase while he getting his music back in order, I’m dumping my hard drive pause. The lost files vol 1. Sept 8.”
