Diddy‘s attempt to motivate his fans to follow their dreams with his “roaches-to-riches” story on Tuesday, July 6, left many perplexed. His caption about his struggles with roaches left them unclear on the rapper’s intentions in the initial video because of the unwarranted distraction: that very caption.
In the clip, the 51-year-old is seen enjoying a mango outside an ocean-view pool when he says, “You can do it. You can be anything you want. You can be eating mango too, with the ocean as your backdrop.”
The mogul added before diving into the pool, “I ain’t special, I just want it. I want it bad, you feel me. I won’t allow myself to not have mango. My hustle, you know what I’m saying.”
The motivational post took an unexpected turn after Diddy inserted in his caption that his experience with “15 roaches” on his face catapulted him to be the person he is today. He wrote, “One day when I was growing up, I woke up and there was 15 roaches on my face. At that moment I said ‘Hell no, I refuse to live like this.’ Work hard, believe in your crazy dreams… AND NEVER SETTLE! #LOVE 🖤✨💫.”
Instead of indulging in the deemed gems that Diddy had provided in the video, a multitude of fans solely focused on the “15 roaches” comment. Some wondered how the music producer knew the exact number, while others claimed Diddy was lying.
“They was having a family meeting on his face😂.”
“So roaches on your face… and you decide in that moment to count em? Alright, SEAN.”
“Wait! I get the point, but 15 roaches? 15? You didn’t budge when you felt one? .. or two?”
“Celebs just be lying for no reason 🥴 like huh”
“Why get on here and lie Sean?”
Diddy initially got his start in the entertainment industry in the early 1990s when he interned at Uptown Records during his sophomore year at Howard University. After accepting an executive position as the label’s talent director, Diddy ultimately dropped out of school following his producing work with Jodeci’s remix to “Come & Talk to Me.” While a director, Diddy also worked with Mary J. Blige at the beginning of her career.
In 1993, Diddy and Uptown Records went their separate ways after he was fired. He launched Bad Boy Records that same year and found commercial success with The Notorious B.I.G. following his debut album titled “Ready to Die.” In 1997, after Biggie’s death, Diddy reached his own mainstream success after his song “I’ll Be Missing You” featuring Faith Evans and 112 sold over eight million copies. The following year, he received two Grammy Awards for his debut album “No Way Out” and launched his clothing brand Sean John.
In the 2000s, he executive produced MTV’s “Making the Band,” which spawned many talents, including Danity Kane and Day 26; both groups later disbanded. Around that time, Diddy also created his alcoholic beverage named Ciroc which didn’t become popular until 2007 after he partnered with Ciroc’s parent company, Diageo. In 2013, he created Revolt TV, a music-oriented digital cable television network.
Despite many Diddy accolades, he has been accused of not compensating his artists.
