Puff Daddy & The Family Honour Bad Boy And Biggie With The Greatest Show On Earth

NEW YORK, NY — In 1983, at the suggestion of his most trusted go-to, Suzanne de Passe, Detroit-bred impresario and Motown founder Barry Gordy, Jr. agreed to go forward with plans of a reunion show commemorating the silver anniversary of Motown Records — a vibrant force that hosted the sound of young America.

It was to be called "Motown 25: Yesterday, Today, Forever" and on May 16, 1983, much of that was presented to the world via a two-hour special that saw history occur via performances by Diana Ross and the Supremes, the Jackson 5, and Marvin Gaye to name a few.

More than a reunion, the show contextualized Motown’s cultural impact and the perennial sound that would travel through subsequent generations. Over three decades to that date, a similar occurrence took place in the heart of Brooklyn, as Sean "Puff Daddy" Combs — the successor to Gordy for this generation — recognized the remarkable streak of his own Bad Boy Entertainment, one of the biggest labels in the history of pop music, with a sold-out, star-studded, and spectacular celebration at the Barclays Center.

Before the lights went out at the strike of 9:30 p.m. on Friday night (May 20), the words "Yesterday" and "Today" quickly faded into the thick fog that pervaded the 19,000-seat arena.

It was all about one word and one word only: "Forever." In addition to honoring the label's 20-year reign and embodiment of the classic mantras "Can't stop won't stop," "As we proceed to give you what you need," and "Years from now we'll still be on top," the star-studded affair, which featured surprise appearances from the likes of Jay Z, Nas, Mary J. Blige, Busta Rhymes, Usher, Rick Ross, and Ty Dolla $ign, played tribute to the man responsible for putting Bad Boy on his back and laying down the foundation: Christopher "The Notorious B.I.G." Wallace. So, quite fittingly, opening the night was track two from 1997's No Way Out, "Victory."

“Let’s do this for Biggie,” announced Puff, as the sold-out house chanted “Bad Boy” in unison as pyrotechnics lit up the arena.

Not before long, he summarized the evening with the follow-up line: "The sun don't shine forever, but as long as it's here then we might as well shine together." Hitting the stage donning black and gold attire, all while Biggie's gruff, bottomless voice rhyming the classic verse echoed through the arena, Puff then segued into a pre-warmer of melodies that included "Finna Get Loose" and "I Get Money." Not before long, he was joined by Ma$e for "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down" and "Been Around the World" (including the remix).

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|By Ralph Bristout

 For Revolt 

 Photo Courtesy: iamdiddy Instagram