Kenyan singer and songwriter Victoria Kimani has opened up about her first encounter with American music mogul P Diddy and the moment he gave her a personal stamp of approval on her music. Speaking on the Mic Cheque Podcast, the celebrated artist shared details of the brief but unforgettable meeting that happened early in her career.
Kimani, who was then signed to a publishing company, found herself working with award-winning producer Mario Winans at Daddy’s House studio in New York. It was during this time that she wrote two songs that captured the attention of everyone in the studio, including Diddy himself.
According to Kimani, the Bad Boy Records founder made a brief appearance to listen to the tracks. She recalled the moment vividly, saying, “I remember the day he brought Puff to come in and listen to the record. He walked in, listened to the songs, shook my hand and said, ‘That was fire,’ then left.” She added with a laugh, “I don’t think I was his type.”
Kimani was quick to clarify that her experience with Diddy was strictly professional and had nothing to do with the infamous parties and controversial rumors surrounding the hip-hop mogul.
During the interview, Victoria also reflected on the harsh realities of the music business and how she learned to protect her rights as a songwriter. “I had a publishing deal, which meant I would not have gotten paid until the song came out,” she said. “But I started collecting royalties in publishing. I had to learn not to sign away my rights.”
One of the standout moments from her career at the time involved a missed opportunity to work with Diddy’s then-girlfriend, Cassie. Victoria revealed that Diddy had wanted Cassie to record one of her songs and even wanted Kimani to vocal produce the track. However, Kimani was financially struggling and couldn’t afford transportation to the studio that day. “I was so broke I couldn’t make it to the studio,” she admitted.
The conversation also touched on her brother, Bamboo, a former secular rapper turned preacher. Bamboo had his own encounter with Diddy, which he once described as a controversial experience, involving discussions about sensitive and spiritual topics during a studio session arranged by his manager at the time.
Currently, Diddy, whose real name is Sean Combs, remains in prison following his arrest in September 2024. He faces multiple charges, including sexual assault and abuse, making Victoria’s story all the more striking as it reflects a completely different side of the music mogul before his legal troubles began.
Kimani’s revelations offered fans a glimpse into her journey in the music industry and the early struggles she faced. Her story also served as a reminder of the importance of resilience and understanding one’s value as an artist.
