VMAs: Diddy Performs Medley of Hits Including “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Bad Boy For Life” as He Receives Global Icon Award

Sean “Diddy” Combs took the audience at the 2023 VMAs back in time, when he performed a medley of hits like “I’ll Be Missing You” and “Bad Boy for Life” before accepting the Global Icon Award.

The artist also known as Puff Daddy also performed “I Need a Girl (Part Two),” and “Last Night,” with special guest Keyshia Cole. This was his first performance at the VMAs since 2005. 

“Puff’s impact on pop culture is immeasurable. His iconic music videos redefine the form. His global influence is forever felt across the entire music industry,” Mary J. Blige said when introducing the legendary hip-hop mogul and pioneer. She also invited Combs’ daughter, Chance, to the stage to help present the award to her father.

“This is so surreal,” Combs said while accepting the honor. “I appreciate y’all coming and giving me my flowers and celebrating me.”

He continued, “I got to thank God because that’s my secret weapon. You know, it don’t matter what religion you are, but make sure you know there’s a higher power of love and I want to just say, I give all glory to God. Thank you so much. This is a dream come true.”

Combs recalled watching MTV as a child and wishing “one day I could be up there.” He said he started off working as a paperboy at 12 years old before aiming to be an NFL football player for the Pittsburgh Steelers. “The Pittsburgh Steelers didn’t know this,” he quipped, before saying that a leg injury took him out of the sport.

He said he eventually found his way to music when people would ask to cast him in their music videos. “That’s how I fell in love with the music industry,” he added. “I saw the executives and I wanted to chase that dream. So I want to thank every executive, every producer, every songwriter. I gotta thank the Bad Boy Family because without them I would not be up here.”

“You just got to keep dreaming. I know sometimes we get hit with those hard things,” he said. “God made another choice, and I thank God for this choice that he made for me to be able to touch you with my music, give you a good time, make you dance, make you feel good. That’s the only intention, and also make sure that we all get the same 24 hours. You know what I’m saying? So when we came in the game, we came in as bosses, we came in as kings, we came in as queens and that’s what’s up.”

Combs concluded by thanking his team and fans for believing in him.

The rapper and music producer received the Global Icon Award for “his unparalleled career and continued influence that has achieved unrivaled global success in music and beyond,” MTV said when announcing the honor.

Throughout his extensive music career, Diddy scored two No. 1 albums on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as five No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. He has also previously won VMAs for best R&B video in 1997 and the viewer’s choice award in 1998.

This year, Combs was nominated for four other awards for his work on “Creepin” (Remix) and “Gotta Move On,” including two noms for best collaboration, best rap and best R&B.

The 2023 VMAs aired live from New Jersey’s Prudential Center on Tuesday.