Da Band
| Company type | Hip hop group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2003 |
| Founder | Sean "P. Diddy" Combs |
| Defunct | 2004 |
| Fate | Disbanded |
| Headquarters | United States |
| Products | Music albums, singles |
| Parent | Bad Boy Entertainment |
Da Band was a hip hop ensemble from the United States, created by Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and signed under his label, Bad Boy Entertainment. Their journey was documented across three seasons of MTV's reality show, Making the Band 2.
Career
Out of 40,000 hopefuls, Diddy handpicked six performers to form the group. They faced demanding trials, such as tasks like buying a Junior's cheesecake in Brooklyn and competing against Harlem rapper Jae Millz. Their first album, Too Hot for TV, debuted in September 2003.
Post Da Band
The group dissolved during the finale of season three when Diddy chose to keep Ness and Babs, with Chopper "Young City" later rejoining as a solo act on Bad Boy South. Eventually, Babs and Chopper parted ways with the label, leaving Ness as the only remaining Bad Boy artist from the band. Ness contributed songwriting to Diddy's 2006 release Press Play before leaving the label in 2007.
Members embarked on individual careers while maintaining amicable relationships. Sara Rivers (formerly Sara Stokes) shifted into business ventures with her brand SaraFina Co., specializing in clothing and skincare lines. Chopper and Ness settled a long-standing disagreement. In 2014, Dylan revealed that five out of six members were open to reuniting, although Chopper remained reluctant.
In 2022, Chopper encountered felony sex trafficking accusations in Las Vegas tied to claims of recruiting women through his social media presence.
Band members
- Sara Rivers (born June 1, 1977) – R&B vocalist originating from Port Huron, Michigan
- Dylan Dilinjah (born Dylan John on February 8, 1980) – reggae singer hailing from Brooklyn, New York
- Chopper "Young City" (born Kevin Barnes on January 12, 1987) – rapper from the 3rd Ward neighborhood of Uptown New Orleans, Louisiana (used the name Rodney Hill for recording purposes to avoid legal issues)
- Babs (born Lynese Wiley in 1979) – MC based in Brooklyn
- E. Ness (born Lloyd Mathis in 1977) – MC and battle rapper from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Freddy P (born Freddrick Watson on November 23, 1981) – MC originating from Liberty City, Miami
Studio albums
| Year | Album | Highest chart rankings | Certifications | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. | U.S. R&B | |||
| 2003 | Too Hot for TV | 2 | 1 |
|
Singles
| Year | Title | Chart rankings | Album | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Billboard Hot 100 | Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs | Hot Rap Tracks | |||
| 2003 | "Bad Boy This, Bad Boy That" | 50 | 15 | 13 | Too Hot for TV |
| "Tonight" | 45 | 23 | 10 | ||
External links
- Bad Boy's Da' Band profile on MTV