Craig Mack didn't have a lot of hits.
But the OG Bad Boy, who died today of a heart attack at age 46, gave Puff Daddy his first hit.
Diddy paid tribute to Mack on Twitter.
Craig Mack, you were the first artist to release music on Bad Boy and gave us our first hit. You always followed your heart and you had an energy that was out of this world. You believed in me and you believed in Bad Boy. I will never forget what you did for hip-hop. pic.twitter.com/qvnxRTcdXv
— Diddy (@Diddy) March 13, 2018
You inspired me and will continue to inspire us. We will always love you. #RIPCraigMack #BadBoy4Life
— Diddy (@Diddy) March 13, 2018
The hit Diddy is talking about is 1994's "Flava In Your Ear", which blew up when it was remixed with Biggie Smalls, LL Cool J, Busta Rhymes, and Rampage.
At the time, Diddy declared that both Biggie Smalls and Mack would be the foundation of Bad Boy Entertainment and promised Mack a second album
However, Puff ended up favoring Big over Mack and Mack split with Bad Boy before he released that sophomore album, 1997's Operation: Get Down.
Not long after that he embraced Christianity and left the industry.