Everything you need to know about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ father, Melvin Combs’ death and his mother’s current whereabouts.

Sean John Combs, better known by his stage name Diddy is one of the most prolific music producers of all time. After starting his career as an artist, Combs became well-known for finding other talented rappers, including the likes of Notorious B.I.G. and Usher. However, his personal life has been extremely controversial and a frequent topic in the media.

Diddy AKA Sean Combs is the son of Melvin and Janice Combs (Credit: Closer to God | Youtube).

Combs is the son of Melvin Earl Combs and Janice Combs. However, his father tragically passed away long before seeing him become an entertainment and media mogul. As a result, fans must be curious to learn more about the circumstances surrounding the death of Combs’ father and the current whereabouts of his mother. Here is everything you need to know about Sean “Diddy” Combs’ parents.

What Happened to Melvin Combs?

Melvin Earl Combs was the father of rapper and music producer Sean “Diddy” Combs, a three-time Grammy Award winner. His father was born in 1938 in New York and served in the U.S. Air Force. Combs was also known to have ties with convicted New York drug dealer Frank Lucas.

Diddy with his father, Melvin Combs (Credit: @__valtown | Instagram).

Combs and his family spent most of their time in the Harlem neighborhood of New York City, where his children grew up. However, when Diddy was only three years old, Combs was fatally gunned down while sitting in his car on Central Park West. He was thirty-three years old at the time of his passing and died in 1972.

According to reports, Combs was arrested in 1971 after he was found in possession of heroin and $45,000 in cash. In 1973, a group of ten people was found guilty of a heroin distribution conspiracy. It was speculated that Combs’ death was linked to the same conspiracy.

That’s not something I glorify, but he was in Harlem and he was doing his thing, selling narcotics.

Diddy made the above statement about his father’s alleged ties to drug dealers during an interview (via The Roots).

The truth about his father’s demise was reportedly hidden from Combs by his mother during the early phase of his life. However, the rapper eventually learned about the circumstances of his father’s death. Combs is buried in the Long Island National Cemetery in New York.

What Happened to Janice Combs?

Janice Combs is the mother of Diddy and the widow of Melvin Earl Combs. Following her husband’s death, Janice raised Diddy and his sister. She was initially a model who later worked as a teacher’s assistant to support her family. As of May 2024, she was reportedly living in Miami. Florida.

Melvin and Janice Combs (Credit: @__valtown | Instagram).

Janice was born in Harlem, New York, in 1940, to the Smalls family. She reportedly met Melvin Combs in the 1960s and they eventually married. Janice worked as a part-time teacher’s assistant following Combs’ death. She also took on the role of caretaker for children with cerebral palsy and drove a school bus.

Janice has made several public appearances alongside Diddy, as the latter established himself as a mogul in the music industry. She also managed Diddy’s restaurant Justin’s in New York, which was opened in 1997. Janice was hospitalized in July 2024, with a source citing stress as the primary reason. Despite the several allegations against Diddy, she and her son are reportedly on good terms.