Christian Combs Marks a New Generation of Talent

Photography by John Balsom

Fashion by Christian Stroble 

Casting by Kegan Webb

“The world is about to know King Combs,” declared Christian Combs, the 22-year-old son of Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs, in January. “2020 is about to be all about me.” Indeed, the model-turned musician didn’t seem to be exaggerating: he can soon also add television star to his resume. Combs will be joining his father, along with his brothers Quincy Brown and Justin Combs, as a judge on MTV’s return of Making the Band. “You know we had to be involved in the return of Making the Band. It’s only right,” Christian, who also goes by King Combs, said in a video he posted to his Instagram the day his new judging role was announced, and prior to the new judges leaving for a multi-city casting tour. “Me, personally, I’m looking for a hungry artist.” Being Diddy’s son has naturally bestowed a certain amount of knowledge about the music industry into Combs, but he has garnered a significant amount of experience himself: at 16, he signed a record deal with Bad Boy Entertainment (the label founded by Diddy), and at 21 he released his first EP, entitled CYNcerely C3 (he also performed at the 2020 Clive Davis pre-grammy performance tribute to his father). Combs said his work is “for rockstars. It’s different than anything out there,” but it’s a consistent collaboration with other artists he enjoys and admires (his first EP included artists City Girls, Kai Ca$h, and Jeremih). While he might not be dropping a track with his dad anytime soon, he still sees himself following in his footsteps beyond just a music career: similar to how Diddy has created an expansive empire, Combs can see himself building up his own portfolio. “We’ve been designing more lately,” he said. “And being in a movie would be cool.” But when it all boils down to it: “My family is my inspiration.”