Track Listing

1. Testimonial (Intro) - Diddy
2. We Gon' Make It - Diddy, Jack Knight
3. I Am (Interlude) - Diddy
4. Future - Diddy
5. Hold Up - Diddy
6. Come to Me - Diddy, Nicole Scherzinger
7. Tell Me - Christina Aguilera, Diddy
8. Wanna Move - Ciara, Diddy,
9. Diddy Rock - Diddy, Shawnna, Timbaland, Twista
10. Claim My Place (Interlude) - Diddy
11. Everything I Love - C-Lo, , Diddy, Nas
12. Special Feeling - Diddy, Mika Lett
13. Crazy Thang (Interlude) - Diddy,
14. After Love - Diddy, Keri Hilson,
15. Through the Pain (She Told Me) - Diddy, Mario Winans
16. Thought You Said - Brandy, Diddy
17. Last Night - Keyshia Cole, Diddy
18. Making It Hard - Mary J. Blige, Diddy
19. Partners for Life - Diddy, Jamie Foxx

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #35741 in Music
• Released on: 2006-10-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Explicit Lyrics
• Dimensions: .25 pounds

Album Description
No one says it better than Diddy himself--"Press Play is based on all my musical experiences - from the Uptown era, when I was working with Jodeci, Mary J. Blige, and Heavy D...to the Biggie, 112, Mase, Total, and No Way Out era. As time evolved, and I started traveling around the world and going into dance and techno clubs, I began to see music from a global point of view. It all came together on Press Play, all those sounds in my head. I've evolved, studied the game, been a part of it, had success. It all comes down to press play. After you press play, it's gonna make or break you in this game." A year in the making, Press Play finds Diddy joined by a who's who of contemporary artists and producers. Among the guest performers are: Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige, Jamie Foxx, Big Boi, Brandi, Keyshia Cole, Nas, Fergie, Avant, and Pharoah Monch. Diddy was joined on the production side by the likes of Kanye West, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, Havoc from Mobb Deep, Will.I.Am, Rich Harrison, among others.

Amazon.com
Sean "Diddy" Combs has spent so many years as an entertainment/fashion mogul and tabloid celebrity, that it's easy to forget that he also makes music. Press Play, his first album since 2001's The Saga Continues, is a reminder that whether he's named Puff, Puffy, or Diddy, Combs has a keen sense of what makes a good pop/hip-hop song but that he's also a middling rapper. Listening to Diddy rap in the same monotone flow he's had for years--not to mention his anemic songwriting--is a distracting sonic drag on an otherwise fluidly produced album. There are some excellent tracks, however. Mobb Deep deliver the dark and sinister "The Future" while Rich Harrison knocks out another vigorous workout of a beat for "Making It Hard." The best songs like "Everything I Love" (featuring Nas and Cee-Lo) and the fast, frenetic "Wanna Move" (with Big Boi, Ciara, and Scar) allow Diddy to play a secondary role rather than the main attraction. He's still a savvy mind behind the scenes, but there's not much gained in putting him in front of the mic. --Oliver Wang

Customer Reviews

No bias here.
I truly do despise Diddy. Sean Puff Daddy Puffy P. Diddy Diddy Combs has grated my nerves for well over a decade, since he was whispering "I like that" in the background of all B.I.G.'s hits on Ready to Die, and making an appearance in every Bad Boy video. His swagger is corny, his delivery is wack, and his income in a day is more than most men will make in a lifetime. Diddy's got a lot of haters, and he's warranted all the criticism he's received. But this album, simply put, is fun.

Diddy literally bought a hot album for himself. He rounded up an entourage full of a-list producers and writers, and virtually had everyone make this album for him. The only thing he does on this album is rhyme; and let's not get it twisted, his delivery is still as mush-mouthed, and unpolished as it's ever been. However, the rhymes, written by everyone from Monch to Tip, are still hot, the all-star cast of guests deliver, and the production is handled magnificiently. If anyone but Diddy was delivering these rhymes, it's hard to say that this wouldn't be an album of the year contendor; it's got all the elements of a perfectly formulated album, with the exception of Diddy himself.

Unlike virtually everyone else, I didn't come into this album looking for Diddy. I didn't acquire this album because I wanted to bash Puffy, or because I saw the "Come to Me" video on MTV, and felt inspired to rush to the record store, and pick it up. I purchased this album because emcees like Big Boi, Nas, T.I., and Pharoahe Monch contributed to it, and producers like Kanye and Havoc provided beats. This is more of a compilation than it is a solo release; Diddy maybe all over the release, but he's spitting other's writtens. He also isn't 'producing' any of the beats on this album, so you don't get any ganked "Kashmir" riffs, or Grandmaster Flash-backs. You get an entirely original hip-hop release, that is remarkably fresh coming from someone like Diddy.

The only thing Diddy deserves credit for on this release is shelling out the cash for it. Otherwise, nothing on this album portrays Diddy as an artist; something he most definitely isn't. It may not be cool to support Diddy, but this album is definitely worth checking out. Just don't go into expecting anything other than tight rhymes over dope production, unfortunately performed by a man with a disgustingly bad flow; because then, and only then, will you be dissapointed.

I Just Don't Understand!
Do I even have to give it one star? Maybe I'm getting old but, who makes the decision on what gets released for mass distribution and airplay? I understand the man has his own label and clothing and bling-bling but....where's the true talent that enabled him to get where he is today? Modern music is sooooo stale. Same stuff, crammed down everybody's throat. Where's the "next big act?" to knock everything else out? It's all image and glitter now.......talent is no longer required. Think for yourself!!

Puffy doin' his thing after 5 year hiatus...
After hearing this album, i must say that i had mixed feelings. The first half of the album seems to have the best tunes, whereas the latter part of the album sounds kinda boring. But, the reason i give it four stars is because i believe it has the potential to grow on me.

Stand out tracks are:

Come to Me
Testimonial
Tell Me
The Future
Everything I Love (Nas is blazin' on this track!)

Definetley worth a buy in my book, because of it's creativity.

Peace