At a film premiere in 2003, Sean “Diddy” Combs wore a T-shirt emblazoned with the words: “I am the American dream”.

For a time, he was. This boy from Harlem with an unrivalled drive had not climbed, but sprinted his way to the very top.

The epitome of glamour and excess, Combs, who was variably known as Puff Daddy, Puffy, P Diddy, Diddy, and Love, presided over a multi-million dollar empire that dominated the music and fashion industries.

Credited with shaping the careers of the Notorious BIG, Mary J Blige, and Faith Evans, among others, Combs adopted global megastars Usher and Justin Bieber as proteges in their youth.

He rubbed shoulders with A-list stars and was given a key to New York. He was untouchable.