Usher and Jermaine Dupri Praise Diddy For B.I.G Mack Promotion in 1994
In 1994, Sean Combs, as so-known as Diddy was terminated as Vice-President of Uptown Records’ Talent and Marketing Division by his mentor Andre Harrell.
At that time, he had accumulated a track record that helped shape and shape numbers on the label list, including Jodeci and Mary J Blige. It also included the Notorious B.I.G., Also known as Biggie Smalls. Puff Daddy was working on creating Bad Boy Records, which was going to be distributed by Uptown Records. Biggie was about to be the first artist signed to the new label.
While on Uptown, Biggie had been building his name appearing on certain high-profile r&b remixes, including Mary J Blige’s “Real Love” and Neneh Cherry’s “Buddy.” Also, appearances on tracks with hip-hop legends, including Heavy D and 2Pac, were speaking to each other. Once Puff Diddy was let go from Uptown, he had to come up with his next move.
At the same time, Puff Daddy had crossed paths with artist Craig Mack. Craig Mack’s demo ended up in Puff Daddy’s hands while he was at Uptown Records. They then met for the first time at the mythic club «Mecca» in Manhattan, New York. The story unfolded that Craig Mack freestyled on a Mary J Blige song, and Puff Daddy gave him a record contract immediately. The first record they would work together on was the remix of Mary J Blige’s song “You Don’t Have To Worry” from her album What’s The 411? Remix.
Luckily, Diddy was able to find a new house and landed a distribution deal with Arista Records from Clive Davis.
He would orchestrated a plan to bring notoriety to the label by creating a memorable marketing campaign. That campaign featured Diddy distributing music in a box-like the McDonald’s Big Mac, but instead, it was called the B.I.G.
Usher and Diddy were recently on stage on the Clubhouse app in the “Usher Party” room, where the individuals on stage praised him for that campaign.
“I have to give you the nod. I didn’t see your street team and helping them understand the genius in your marketing, and I wouldn’t have thought of promoting something like Usher Bucks. Just for my Vegas residency and how it went crazy. Seeing the genius of you come up with creative things like the B.I.G. Mack. I thought that s*** was so f***ing brilliant. He had Craig Mack and Biggie,” said Usher.
Jermaine Dupri added: “That’s the best promotion piece you did Puff. To this day!”
“I’m feeling like I am going to, top you Puff with Usher Bucks,” Usher said.
Puff would reply, “you are supposed to.”
According to REVOLT TV, the head of Bad Boy Records and REVOLT TV recently paid tribute to Black Rob via Instagram over the weekend.
“Rest in power, King!” he wrote. “As I listen to your records today, there’s one thing that they all have in common! You have made millions of people all over the world feel good and dance! You are one of a kind! GOD BLESS! Love. You will be truly missed!!!!”
Black Rob’s connect with Bad Boy Records dates back to the mid-90s featured on hit records such as 112’s “Come See Me” remix, “What About Us,” and “24 Hours to Live.”
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