Bad Boy and Arista Part Ways : Rolling Stone

P. Diddy has terminated the partnership between his record label, Bad Boy Entertainment, and its partnership with Arista Records. The split was described as amicable by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Arista President and CEO Antonio "L.A." Reid, who made the announcement together.

"I have enjoyed my successful partnership with Arista and most recently working with L.A. Reid," Combs said. "I decided it was time to move my company to a new home and I wish L.A. the best and look forward to working with him in the future."

As part of the deal, the rights to Bad Boy revert back to Combs, including the complete roster (Faith Evans, 112, Carl Thomas, Notorious B.I.G.) and the entire catalogue. Arista will continue to provide sales, promotion and marketing services for current Bad Boy projects and distribution (through parent company BMG) on an interim basis.

Combs founded Bad Boy Entertainment in 1991 and entered into a partnership with Arista in 1993. Three years later, the two companies announced that they would begin an equal partnership under the Arista imprint, Bad Boy Records.

P. Diddy's own gospel recording is expected to be one of Bad Boy's first post-Arista releases.

CHRISTINA SARACENO
(June 21, 2002)