On the Road Again
Live Review

Sean "Puffy" Combs
with The Rascalz
National Trade Centre, Toronto
Aug. 2, 1997

Bad Boy Sean 'Puffy' Combs, a.k.a. 'Puff Daddy' is hot and record sales prove it. In Toronto at a press conference held at Planet Hollywood, BMG presented Combs with two platinum records (one for his solo album No Way Out and one for the late Notorious B.I.G's Life After Death). He also received a gold record for his single "Missing You" a collaboration with Faith Evans, which he graciously accepted while rap artist Mase (on Combs' Bad Boy label) sat next to his mentor and took what must have been an urgent 'business' call on his cell phone - some thought that was rude.

After addressing the only three people that had questions (a total of five questions were asked), Puffy and Mase hustled off the stage approximately 18 minutes after he had approached it. Maybe those in attendance knew all they needed or wanted to know about the dancer turned promoter turned A&R rep turned manager turned rapper turned producer turned CEO. Whatever the case, some thought the press conference was unusually short.

Participating for the first time in Toronto's Caribana festivities, the Bad Boy crew joined the parade's thirtieth anniversary celebration the following day on top a float, choosing to overwhelm everyone within a 1 kilometer radius with remixes of his labels r&b/hip hop melodies rather than the traditional calypso beats. Though the spectators were obviously hyped, those on the float were not as amusing as expected and some thought that their float was out of place. But the Puff Daddy had more treats up his jersey.

While awaiting his arrival on stage that night at one of the most anticipated concerts of the summer, approximately 8,000 ticket holders rocked to Vancouver hip hop crew, The Rascalz, dubbed to reggae DJ's King Turbo and gave Detroit's Beatniks a hard time as they grew restless and tired.

Finally, at about 2 a.m., the guests of honor proceeded to centre stage and L'il Kim, Little Ceas, Mase, Puffy and a number of other stage 'poseurs' did their thang, had the ladies screamin', had the heads bouncin' and the booties shakin' for a full twenty eight minutes!!! And then they were gone. Some thought that was truly ridiculous. I for one thought it was a rip-off and I got in free.

- Debe Morris