P Diddy gets into 'party' politics

2004-07-07 09:51

New York - No stranger to tabloid gossip, rapper and all-around entertainment mogul Sean "P Diddy" Combs caused a media stir by bringing an unexpected date to his annual July 4 "white party" bash.

Watched by the small army of supermodels who attended the Independence Day event in Long Island's celebrity-sodden Bridgehampton community, Combs strolled in escorting an original copy of the US Declaration of Independence.

"No one would ever expect a young black man to be coming to a party with the Declaration of Independence," The New York Times quoted Combs as telling his guests.

"But I got it and it's coming with me," Combs said. "And I promise not to spill champagne on it."

Combs's historical date reflected the theme of the party which he used to launch his "Citizen Change" initiative - a non-partisan movement to encourage minority and youth participation in November's presidential election.

"I don't really have faith in politicians or politics, but I have faith in the power of the people, and if we educate ourselves about the hustle we can make things right," Combs said.

Only around 25 of the 200 original copies made in 1776 of the Declaration of Independence are known to exist.

The one that accompanied Combs was borrowed from movie and television producer Norman Lear, who bought it at auction for eight million dollars in 2000.

Three armed security guards escorted the framed document that was laid out for inspection by around 1 000 white-clad guests.

- AFP