Sean `Puffy' Combs Reveals: His `Fresh Start' After Trial Why He Will Change His Name His Feelings About Jennifer Lopez Why He Plans To Leave Show Biz For Awhile

Jet, April 16, 2001

Meanwhile, his multimillion-dollar hip-hop empire, Bad Boy Entertainment, continues to thrive with such hot-selling recording acts as Carl Thomas, 112 and popular new girl group Dream.

While he is on hiatus, a gospel album is set to be released this summer. He produced the album along with gospel star Hezekiah Walker, who is also his spiritual advisor. Combs will also perform on the album. The album will feature such artists as Walker, Fred Hammond, Mary Mary, Vickie Winans, Kim Burrell, Brain McKnight, 112, John P. Kee and Faith Evans. "It had a timing of its own. It was completed over the last couple of months. I have been working on it for four years."

Reflecting on the trial and his life today, Combs sent out a heartfelt thanks to his fans and other well-wishers who stood by him: "I feel blessed, you know. I thank everybody for their prayers and support because that's what got me through this, especially the Black community and all the Black churches."