With a Diddy album, you know you’re not getting a lyrical masterpiece (unless he takes a cue from Charles “Dukie” Hamilton and were to summon the ghost of Biggie via a séance) but the production would at least be tight. Besides being able to lock down any name in the game like he did on Press Play (Timbo, Kanye, Just Blaze, etc.), he could also turn to his in-house Hitmen squad, including the likes of Sean C and LV who were responsible for the best cuts on Jay-Z’s American Gangster.
However, as per HipHopDX, Diddy’s magnum opus Last Train to Paris is indefinitely shelved according to the man himself. Puff cited not wanting to be caught in the middle of both Drake’s and Jay-Z’s respective buzzes over their upcoming albums, which were set to be fourth quarter releases along with Paris. And so, the project, announced back in February could very well get the repeat push-back treatment a la Detox for the following reasons:
1. The Auto-Tune factor
Even with T-Pain’s blessings, which Puffy stated he had in the bag, it might be a stretch to think he could continue with its use ever since Jay effectively read it its last rites.
2. Who’s gonna ghostwrite for him?
Sure he doesn’t write rhymes, but according to Mad Skillz and a laundry list of other emcees, Puff doesn’t always write the checks either. Plus, everyone’s favorite ghostwriter, T.I., who may have or may not have penned some material for Press Play, is currently incarcerated.
3. The film accompaniment.
It takes a while to make a film—and by film I don’t mean some 30-minute, shot-by-your-homeboy-in-a-couple-of-days joint like Loso’s Way (Skip it, yo). Rumors stated that Hype Williams was set to direct the Last Train film portion but it seems like Hype is always busy shooting some new Kanye joint and knowing Kanye, he’s probably dropping an album any month now so a single or two will need visuals. Not to mention Hype’s last full-length foray Belly wasn’t exactly a blockbuster. It wasn’t his fault though—the Lil’ Homey couldn’t act a lick.
4. The business behind it.
Puff’s a business man, and according to Forbes, a damn good one, too. Albums don’t sell so why even bother? And whatever he has up his sleeve couldn’t possibly come cheap.
5. His fledgling acting career.
The whole Bond thing was never gonna happen for Puff (Idris Elba got it), but there’s always Broadway, right?
-Devin Chanda
