("Diddy" is a name being used by two different artists - Sean Combs [US] (1… Read Full Bio ↴("Diddy" is a name being used by two different artists - Sean Combs [US] (1) and Richard Dearlove [UK] (2).

(1) Sean John Combs is an American musical artist best known for his top 40 rap songs and collaborations. He is also known for his penchant for changing his name quite often. Previously, he's been known as "Puff Daddy", "P. Diddy", "Sean John", "Puff", and "Puffy".

Combs runs the record label Bad Boy Records, the clothing lines Sean John and Sean by Sean Combs, a movie production company, and two restaurants. He has taken the roles of recording executive, producer of reality TV, writer, arranger, clothing designer, and actor.

In August 2005, Sean Combs adopted the stage name "Diddy". Dearlove had used the stage name "Diddy" commercially since 1993. In 2006, after attempting to resolve the name conflict with Combs' management, Dearlove successfully filed suit against Combs. The terms of the amicable settlement ordered Combs to pay Dearlove "significant damages" and barred him from releasing music under the name "Diddy" in the UK.

(2) Richard Dearlove is a London-based musical artist best know for his hit single "Give Me Love" (#23 in the UK Charts). He also constructed worldwide smash remixes of Blondie's Atomic (#19 UK, #1 US Billboard), Heart of Glass (#15 UK) and Union City Blue. He has worked with a long list of artists such as Robert Palmer, Marianne Faithful, Dolly Parton, Alan Thompson, Steve Thomas, Wayne G, Republica, The Sugababes, Tall Paul, Andy Allder, The Tyrell Corporation, Rachel Auburn, Aetherius, MC Kinky, Blu Peter, Nusta and Donna Summer.

Dearlove is a popular DJ at a popular gay club called Megawoof! in London, and runs the record labels "Resident Records" and "Megawoof Records" along with DJ Daz Saund. He is currently working with UK rapper Rob FT as well as the San Francisco Opera.

I AM
Diddy Lyrics

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It only gets stronger (it only gets stronger)
It only gets more intense (it only gets more intense)
All the pressure's on your neck (you feel me, you feel me)
So Bad Boy (so Bad Boy)
I'm richer bitch!
Yeah, yeah

I got a brand new flow man, soul cleansed

Got a brand new soul man
Cause lightning struck my plane's wings and energized my things
Now I'm out lookin' for that brass ring
Uh, New York feel it in they gut
Cause if Jay comin' back then the world need Puff
Emotional bond to the game I'm attached
I gave most of you dudes life, now give back (give back)
I'm the man that beefed with a whole coast
Lost my best friend and still see his ghost (c'mon)
Your lawsuit is lost, I walk through courts (uh-huh)
So disrespectful I spit when I talk (woo!)
I recognize niggas tryin' to copy my style
But never been a nigga this fly holdin' it down for this long
Nigga I let y'all eat for this long
Now the King's back on the streets crack
I'm a put it on my son's name
I'm a change from the mundane, Monday through Sunday
Lived through the gun play now I'm in one lane
Fuckin' with the white man, gettin on my fun shame
Can't com-plain, fly as I ever been
Half a ounce sniffer, high as I ever been
Never no losses, I'm a winner
The boss of all bosses, I'm that nigga!

It only gets stronger
It only gets more intense
All the pressure's on your neck
You feel me!

So Bad Boy
I'm richer bitch!

Overall Meaning

In the first verse, Diddy is expressing how he has developed a stronger flow and soul. He believes that he has been energized and that he's now out there looking for a brass ring. Diddy recognizes his influence on the rap game; therefore, people look up to him, and they feel his presence. He also talks about his emotional attachment to the game and how he has been with it for the long haul. He has beefed with an entire coast, lost his best friend, but still sees his ghost. He recognizes that some people try to copy his style. Still, they haven't held it down for as long as he has, and he has let them eat for too long. Now, the king, a metaphor for himself, is back on the streets, and he's ready to put it all on his son's name.

The chorus of the song is more of a hype and a way of branding his label, Bad Boy. He says, "It only gets stronger, it only gets more intense, all the pressure's on your neck, you feel me, So Bad Boy, I'm richer bitch!" This part of the lyrics is a way of Diddy staking his claim as one of the best in the Rap game, which is something he has done throughout his career. He has built his brand, Bad Boy Entertainment, on this pride, and he is letting everyone know that he is still at the top.

In summary, Diddy's song "I Am" is a braggadocious track where he asserts himself as a king and an alpha dog in the rap game. He talks about his accomplishments, the influence he has had over the rap game, and his emotional attachment to the game. Moreover, he lets everyone know that he is still at the top of his game and that he's only getting stronger.

Line by Line Meaning

It only gets stronger
The more I face, the stronger I become.

It only gets more intense
Every obstacle is just as hard as the last one, if not harder.

All the pressure's on your neck, you feel me, you feel me
I am carrying the weight of my success on my shoulders and everyone's watching me carefully.

So Bad Boy
My record label sets me apart from other artists.

I'm richer bitch!
I have accomplished so much financially that I am able to live my life without any financial worries.

Lyrics © Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: DWAYNE CARTER, MICHEAL STEVENSON, GEORGE TOBIN, JEFF DAVIS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind

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