2006年VOA标准英语-Diddy's new CD, 'Press Play', Releases October

By Larry London
Washington, DC
16 October 2006
 
watch Diddy report

Sean 'Diddy' Combs

Sean "Diddy" Combs has gone through many name changes over the years -- from Puff¹ Daddy to P. Diddy to just Diddy. The man behind Bad Boys Records and Sean John Clothing recently joined VOA's Larry London to talk about his newest CD and his efforts to promote music in schools.

Diddy is one of music's busiest businessmen and most sought-after record producers.  He has been visiting schools in America to spread the word about the importance of music in kids' lives and talk about his latest CD.

"Yes, I'm on the promo tour for the album "Press Play."  I have an album coming out in October.  Instead of just going into the cities and just doing the radio and television, we're going to also go into the schools and really kind of give back to the kids for all the support that they've given me." 

Among his many accomplishments², including three Grammy Awards and 15 nominations³, Diddy was also named one of Time magazine's "Most Influential⁴ People" for 2005.  Forbes magazine listed him as the top name in hip-hop wealth.  Diddy's new CD, "Press Play", features many guests.

"On the album performing is Christina Aguilera, Mary J. Blige.  You have Brandy.  You have Big Boi from OutKast, Ciara, Jamie Foxx, Pharell.  You have production by Kanye (West), Pharell, and Timbaland, and Will-I-Am from the Black Eyed Peas, Just Blasé.  It's definitely a heavy, heavy album."

It has been five years since Diddy released his last CD, "We Invented the Remix-Volume 1." During that time, he appeared in the Academy Award-winning film, "Monster's Ball", and also on Broadway.  But why did he wait so long for a new album?

"I just needed a break," he says. "I needed to take a break from performing and also producing music and do some other things.  I ran a marathon, starred on Broadway and just did a couple of different things.  And when I went back into the studio, it was like my mind was clear, my ears were clearer, and I had evolved as a producer and also as an artist." 

The first single from his new CD is called "Come To Me" featuring Nicole Scherzinger of the Pussycat Dolls.  The song is already attracting a lot of attention.

"Yeah, that's out right now and climbing the charts.  The single is like a cat and mouse chase between me and her (back and forth⁵ interplay).  As part of the album, I have different phases of the album.  That's the seduction phase for the album."

Diddy's future includes a world tour for the new album and spending time with his girlfriend, Kim Porter, who is expecting twins.  It would seem like that is enough to occupy all his time, but its not.

"We're shooting "A Raisin⁶ In The Sun" for (U.S. television network) ABC in November for a couple of weeks, and that will be out.  And after I finish all the promotions⁷ for this album, then I'm definitely going to go to Hollywood for a while and audition⁸ for some more parts."

Video courtesy Bad Boy Records

1 puff   

n.一口(气)；一阵(风)；v.喷气，喘气

参考例句：

• He took a puff at his cigarette.他吸了一口香烟。
• They tried their best to puff the book they published.他们尽力吹捧他们出版的书。

2 accomplishments   

n.造诣；完成( accomplishment的名词复数 )；技能；成绩；成就

参考例句：

• It was one of the President's greatest accomplishments. 那是总统最伟大的成就之一。
• Among her accomplishments were sewing,cooking,playing the piano and dancing. 她的才能包括缝纫、烹调、弹钢琴和跳舞。 来自《现代英汉综合大词典》

3 nominations   

n.提名，任命( nomination的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• Nominations are invited for the post of party chairman. 为党主席职位征集候选人。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Much coverage surrounded his abortive bids for the 1960,1964, and 1968 Republican Presidential nominations. 许多消息报道都围绕着1960年、1964年和1968年他为争取提名为共和党总统候选人所做努力的失败。 来自辞典例句

4 influential   

adj.有影响的，有权势的

参考例句：

• He always tries to get in with the most influential people.他总是试图巴结最有影响的人物。
• He is a very influential man in the government.他在政府中是个很有影响的人物。

5 forth   

adv.向前；向外，往外

参考例句：

• The wind moved the trees gently back and forth.风吹得树轻轻地来回摇晃。
• He gave forth a series of works in rapid succession.他很快连续发表了一系列的作品。

6 raisin   

n.葡萄干

参考例句：

• They baked us raisin bread.他们给我们烤葡萄干面包。
• You can also make raisin scones.你也可以做葡萄干烤饼。

7 promotions   

促进( promotion的名词复数 )； 提升； 推广； 宣传

参考例句：

• All services or promotions must have an appeal and wide application. 所有服务或促销工作都必须具有吸引力和广泛的适用性。
• He promptly directed the highest promotions and decorations for General MacArthur. 他授予麦克阿瑟将军以最高的官阶和勋奖。

8 audition   

n.(对志愿艺人等的)面试(指试读、试唱等)

参考例句：

• I'm going to the audition but I don't expect I'll get a part.我去试音，可并不指望会给我个角色演出。
• At first,they said he was too young,but later they called him for an audition.起初，他们说他太小，但后来他们叫他去试听。