The Artist Formerly Known As Puff Daddy Changes Name

It appears that the stress of his media-saturated trial and the loss of super vixen/nipple model Jennifer Lopez has been too much for tycoon/song recycler Sean "Puffy" Combs and the signs are starting to show.

In his first on-camera interview since being acquitted of gun possession and bribery charges, Puff Daddy told MTV News that he's on the verge of a new identity. Puff Daddy is dead, long live P. Diddy.

Ever the considerate Bad Boy (he's even planning on visiting Shyne in prison), Combs is giving his fans a few months to get used to the new name.

"No more Puff Daddy — the first week in June we're gonna have a name change ceremony," he explained. "I'm not doing it as serious as Prince [but] I just want something fresh... I'm rockin' with P. Diddy now — my man Biggie gave me that name."

In the meantime, Puffy P. Diddy is planning on taking a break from the spotlight, which he hopes will focus his energies, although it sounds like the situation will only create more stress for his identity crisis.

"I gotta take a break... I'm going to take a leave of absence just to be Sean Combs," he said in the interview.

Although he's excited about the fresh start that will come with a name change, The Artist Formerly Known As Puffy still seems to be dwelling in the past when it comes to his ex.

"I'll always love her. We'll always be friends," Combs said of J Lo. "When the time is right, we're gonna meet again."

One can only hope that he's right, because those two aren't likely to find anyone else with such an appreciation of stupid monikers.