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*Couching personal album promotion within motivational messages to youngsters, Sean “Diddy” Combs visited a Philadelphia high school to kick off his high school promo tour for “Press Play,” the mogul’s new album due Oct. 17. (See tour dates below.)
About 750 students at Benjamin Franklin High School erupted in cheers as the blinged-out entrepreneur was introduced by Principal Cristopher Johnson.
"This is a really important time for you all right now," Combs, 36, told the students. "This is the time that is going to dictate your future."
Wearing dark shades, the founder of Bad Boy Records called some students on stage to discuss their personal goals. He advised the individuals to work hard and stay in school.
"Take responsibility for your future. No excuses." Combs said.
The school district is hoping to incorporate Diddy's message into an anti-truancy campaign, said Cecilia Cummings, senior vice president for communications and community relations.
"We wanted someone whom they would sit down and listen to, someone who comes from the same type of background," Johnson told The Associated Press. "To have a superstar come in to talk is extremely powerful."
On Tuesday, his tour was scheduled to take him through the Baltimore/Washington D.C. area. Here is Diddy’s complete schedule for the “Press Play” promo tour:
Wednesday, September 20 - DC/Richmond/Norfolk
Thursday, September 21 - Raleigh/Greensborough
Friday, September 22 - Atlanta
Saturday, September 23 - Atlanta
Tuesday, September 26 - Minneapolis
Wednesday, September 27 - Los Angeles
Monday, October 2 - New York
Thursday, October 5 - Boston/Hartford/Providence
Tuesday, October 10 - Seattle
Wednesday, October 11 - San Fran/Sacramento
Thursday - October 12 - Las Vegas
Friday, October 13 - Chicago
THE LA BLACK BUSINESS EXPO
How to start and develop a business is one
of the many courses being offered at the L.A.
Black Business Expo and Trade Show, September
22-24, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the L.A. Convention
Center. For more inf www.blackbusinessexpo.com.