Imagine a man and a woman in an elevator together. He gets off before she does, but his scent lingers for the next five floors. This is the scenario Sean "Diddy" Combs, rapper/actor/music mogul/fashion designer/honorary perfumer, envisions when he designs a new cologne, which he says is a key ingredient to a man's swagger.
Trust him -- this is a man who knows a bit about swagger. And cologne.
Diddy is following up his award-winning 'Unforgivable' line with 'I Am King,' a new men's fragrance that's being sold exclusively at Macy's starting this month. He sat down with Black Voices recently to discuss his new fragrance, his inspiration, and a certain movie role he's dying to get.
"My grandmother always used to say, 'You are what you say you are,' and she called me her little king," he said. "[I Am King] is about your father, your brother, your boyfriend, your husband -- the kings in your life. It's about self affirmation."
The fragrance is dedicated to Martin Luther King Jr., Muhammad Ali, and Barack Obama, three men who Diddy says embody the spirit of his cologne. And he has already picked out the "queens" to whom he'll dedicate his upcoming women's fragrance, 'I Am Queen.'
"I am queen is dedicated to Oprah Winfrey and my mother," he said. "Those are the people that I looked up to and proved to me that I am a descendant of royalty."
The name of the cologne evokes images of men in gold crowns and opulent robes, but the ad campaign, which includes a mammoth-sized billboard in Times Square and a mini-movie that's already made the rounds on YouTube, depicts a different kind of king -- the kind who has a reason to go jet-skiing in black tie, wears a lot of white tuxedo jackets and aviators, has a beautiful woman on his arm at all times and just happens to be Diddy himself.
The ads are important, he says, because they show black men in a different light.
"The campaign shows an African-American male shot in a very elegant and sophisticated way," he said. "It's important that we can have images that will rival a Ralph Lauren or a Tom Ford. It just shows the possibilities."
Speaking of possibilities, the slick mini-movie that is supposed to be a long-form commercial for 'I Am King' might just be serving an extra purpose. All those swanky shots of Diddy doing dare-devilish stunts while dressed to the nines could pique the interest of the director of the next James Bond movie -- at least that's what he's hoping for. Yes, Diddy is ready and willing to be the first black James Bond.
"I'm a struggling, trying-to-find-some-work-for-hire actor, and I thought that [the movie] was also a way to put out a call out to different directors," he said. "I know how to do my own stunts. And without saying any words -- that's the hardest part of acting -- without saying any words I can deliver a message of coolness and swagger."
He's already got the movie concept worked out -- he'll play the New York-based agent who helps the British Bond when he comes to town and gets himself into trouble.
"I'm a dreamer," he said of his movie idea. " You've got to put things out there. If you put them out there, they come true."




Comments: (229)
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By: Robby A on 12/15/2008 6:55PM
h-h-h-hell naw! fuk outta here wit that mess! huge fan of James bond n I will not stand by and let diddy ruin a piece of history...again!
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By: osirus sons on 12/16/2008 9:53AM
as actor i don't doubt some-one ability.puff will need work but he could be the next bond if he can hold his chracter role.and yes he is king we were not pimps whore or goon or niggers puffy has the right concept people are very hateful when you try to elevate.as an black actor i my self try hard to get roles and there is always some dick head in my way puff you are the next black bond don't let these devils stop you.. holla at me. i would love to be in your films.you can see me in a short film next year call shade of brookln on H B O 2009..
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By: Mane on 12/15/2008 7:12PM
Spellcheck Monica. s p e l l c h e c k.....
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By: DEWright on 12/15/2008 8:04PM
Sean Diddy is a lot of things but JAMES BOND is not the calling. It takes a BLAIR UNDERWOOD, TERRENCE HOWARD, USHER RAYMOND?? AND MOST UTIMALEY WILL SMITH LADIES DO YOU FEEL ME???!!!
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By: Mane on 12/15/2008 8:05PM
Precious, put the bottle and the weed down. You are burned out.....Damn
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By: Mane on 12/15/2008 8:06PM
Precious, you need to go back to school, or use spellcheck yourself. There are periods and commas for reasons, dingbat...........
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By: jo jo dancer on 12/15/2008 8:48PM
i don't care if he got all the money and fame in the world - he still can't act
and if played james bond it would be a comedy
him playing bond is like little wayne reciting shakespeare
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By: K BFOX on 12/15/2008 9:15PM
DIDDY FOR BOND? OF COURSE NOT I TOTALLY AGREE WITH PREVIOUS COMMENTS; GO BE KING OF HUSBAND-HOOD AND SHOW THE WORLD YOU'RE ABLE TO COMMITT TO A WIFE AND RAISE YOUR CHILDREN AS A FAMILY INSTEAD OF RICH LITTLE BASTARDS.
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By: Merv on 12/15/2008 9:22PM
I will give him his props on his business skills; however, he is NO ACTOR, nor is he a RAPPER. He is so T-I-RED!!! I heard his song, with Keysia Cole, on the radio today. What a waste of time. The song is sorry, his so-called singing is sorry. On a scale of 1 to 10, he gets a 3 for acting. Sean is so full of himself, the name changes, his arrogance, etc.....Stay behind the scenes!!!
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By: anony on 12/15/2008 9:48PM
why would we want a gay man as bond? he'll be the first gay bond alright lol
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