Never Stop (EP)

Never Stop
A building with a sign reading "Bad Boy Worldwide" above its entrance
EP by
King Combs
ReleasedJune 27, 2025
Recorded2025
Genres
Length16:13
Label
  • Goodfellas
Producers
King Combs chronology
C3
(2023)		 Never Stop
(2025)
Singles from Never Stop
  1. "Repeat Me"
    Released: August 22, 2025

Never Stop is the third extended play (EP) by the American rapper King Combs, the son of the rapper Sean "Diddy" Combs. It was released on June 27, 2025, through Goodfellas Entertainment. Executive produced by Kanye West, the EP features guest appearances from West, West's daughter North, Jasmine Williams, and the Hooligans. It follows Combs's second extended play, C3 (2023).[1]

West and King Combs began recording Never Stop together after the former had expressed interest in attending Sean Combs's trial, although West had worked on "Diddy Free" prior to the two meeting. The EP was preceded by the promotional single "Lonely Roads", released to West's Twitter account in March 2025 and originally intended for a Sean Combs album. "Repeat Me" was later released as a single in August 2025, with a music video for "Lonely Roads" being produced the following month.

Background and recording

According to King Combs, Kanye West first proposed the idea of a collaborative EP between the two after plans for West's Yeezy brand to collaborate with Diddy's fashion company Sean John fell through during late 2024. Initially, West's idea for the project was an EP consisting of 5 tracks instead of the 7 present on the released version.[2][3] Combs later stated in an interview with Hot97 that the joint sessions between him and West were "intense in the best way," noting West's operating process as similar to that of Combs's father, Sean Combs, highlighting West's energy. The instrumental for "Lonely Roads" was created from scratch during one of these sessions before being further developed by West, with his daughter North recording for it at West's request due to her eagerness to work with them.[4][5]

The track "Diddy Free" was initially conceived and written by American rapper Dave Blunts for West's scrapped studio album Cuck, which he worked on from February to June of 2025.[6] This version leaked on May 18, 2025, after a copy of the album was bought by Discord users for US$999, the proceeds of which went to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.[7][8]

On June 12, 2025, CNN reported that West and King Combs began working on music after the former had attempted to attend Sean Combs's trial.[9] The following day, West briefly appeared at the trial to watch the day's proceedings in an overflow room, and left the courthouse 40 minutes later.[10][11]

Composition

The EP, encompassing alternative hip-hop and trap,[12] contains seven tracks, the first project from West to have that amount since his collaborative project with Kid Cudi, Kids See Ghosts (credited to the group of the same name). West appears on the track "People Like Me".[13]

Tracks

The album opens with "Lonely Roads", a song featuring West's daughter, North West, and Chicago singer Jaas. The next track, "Kim", is a tribute to King Combs's late mother, Kim Porter.[14][15] "People Like Me" features a verse from West, who leans into a "villain" persona, emphasized by a sample from the 1983 film Scarface heard in the track.[13] King Combs's verse defends his father, saying that "[my] father's a hustler, it's not my fault your dad's poor."[15] The fourth track, "Diddy Free", advocates for Sean Combs's freedom, with the chorus repeating "niggas ain't going to sleep 'til we see Diddy free." King Combs's verse criticizes how the mainstream media views him and his family, rapping, "Like damn, why the fuck I'm in these tabloids? / If it ain't me, it's my pops or my bitch."[16]

Promotion and release

The song "Lonely Roads", originally titled "Lonely Roads Still Go to Sunshine", was released as a promotional single on March 15, 2025, on Twitter.[17] It received negative attention from media outlets, as Sean Combs originally featured on the song alongside North, which was seen as dangerous due to the multiple sexual misconduct allegations Sean Combs is accused of.[18] West wanted his daughter to meet Combs, and briefly feuded with ex-wife Kim Kardashian after she attempted to block the song's release on streaming services.[19][18] Despite this, Never Stop, including "Lonely Roads", released onto Tidal, Apple Music, and YouTube Music on June 27, 2025.[20][21][22] The prior night, West tweeted that a King Combs project executively produced by him was scheduled to drop at midnight.[23] "Repeat Me" was later released as a single on August 22.[24] A music video for "Lonely Roads", featuring cameos from King Combs's siblings, was uploaded to his YouTube channel on September 18.[25]

The album's cover art is a photograph of Sean Combs's former Bad Boy Worldwide headquarters, located in New York City.[26] The original photo was taken on May 25, 2020,[27] while the building was going through renovations. A homeless person can be seen lying on a mattress near the building.

Reception

Music journalist Quincy Dominic gave Never Stop a positive review on his website RatingsGameMusic, describing it as a rushed but bold statement, highlighting the production and its standout tracks.[28] Alexander Cole of HotNewHipHop noted that "fans may find this endeavor from Ye to be a bit distasteful," emphasizing the EP's controversial themes regarding Sean Combs.[29]

Track listing

Never Stop track listing[30][a]
No.TitleWriter(s)Producer(s)Length
1."Lonely Roads" (with North West and Kanye West featuring Jaas)
3:25
2."Kim"
  • C. Combs
  • K. West
  • Rai Smith
  • K. West
  • the Legendary Traxster[u]
1:40
3."People Like Me" (featuring Kanye West)
  • C. Combs
  • K. West
  • Jason Harris
2:21
4."Diddy Free"
  • K. West
  • the Legendary Traxster[u]
2:05
5."Repeat Me"
  • C. Combs
  • K. West
  • Afolabi Rosiji
  • Milano
  • Chris Malloy Jr.
K. West2:20
6."The List"
  • C. Combs
  • K. West
  • Rosiji
  • K. West
  • the Legendary Traxster[u]
1:42
7."Souls Outro"
  • C. Combs
  • K. West
  • Rosiji
2:40
Total length:16:13

Notes

  • All songs are stylized in all caps.
  • "Diddy Free" features uncredited additional vocals from the Hooligans.[12]
  • ^[u] indicates an uncredited producer.[31][32][33][34]

Sample credits

  • "People Like Me" features an excerpt from the 1983 film Scarface.[13]

Notes

  1. ↑ Find additional credits for "Diddy Free" on the BMI Repertoire by searching the work number #77195348.

References

  1. ↑ Cummings-Grady, Mackenzie (June 27, 2025). "Ye & Sean Combs' Son King Release 'Never Stop' EP, Including a Song Called 'Diddy Free'". Billboard. Archived from the original on June 28, 2025. Retrieved June 28, 2025.
  2. ↑ Diaz, Angel (August 1, 2025). "King Combs Talks Diddy Verdict & Ye-Produced 'Never Stop' EP". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  3. ↑ King Combs - NEVER STOP, June 27, 2025, retrieved June 27, 2025
  4. ↑ Aydelotte, Bato (June 27, 2025). "Exclusive: King Combs Talks Ye Collaboration and the Power Behind 'NEVER STOP'". Hot97. Archived from the original on October 4, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  5. ↑ Diaz, Angel (August 1, 2025). "King Combs Talks Diddy Verdict & Ye-Produced 'Never Stop' EP". Billboard. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  6. ↑ TOI WORLD DESK (June 29, 2025). "'Diddy free': Sean Combs son releases a new EP with Kanye West; features Ye's daughter". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  7. ↑ Moore, Sam (May 19, 2025). "Kanye West's 'Cuck' Album Leaked By Hackers". HipHopDX. Archived from the original on May 19, 2025. Retrieved May 19, 2025.
  8. ↑ King, Ashley (May 20, 2025). "Entire Kanye West Album Leaked in Discord, With Callouts". Digital Music News. Archived from the original on May 20, 2025. Retrieved May 20, 2025.
  9. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 12, 2025). "Kanye West wants to attend the Sean 'Diddy' Combs trial to support Combs in court: Source". CNN. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  10. ↑ "Kanye West briefly shows up at Sean 'Diddy' Combs' sex trafficking trial". The Guardian. Associated Press. June 13, 2025. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  11. ↑ Kreps, Daniel (June 27, 2025). "Sean Combs' Son Releases New Song 'Diddy Free' With Help From Kanye West". Rolling Stone. Retrieved August 10, 2026.
  12. 1 2 "Kanye West wyprodukował album syna Diddiego - King Combsa - Czwórka". www.polskieradio.pl (in Polish). June 30, 2025. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  13. 1 2 3 William Cowen, Trace (June 27, 2025). "Kanye West Is Executive Producer of New EP From Diddy's Son King Combs f/ North West". Complex. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  14. ↑ II, C. Vernon Coleman IIC Vernon Coleman (June 27, 2025). "Ye and King Combs Cook Up a Collab Project in Support of Diddy and It Features a Song With North West". XXL Mag. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  15. 1 2 Munumi, Nadia (June 27, 2025). "Listen: Kanye West & King Combs Drop Surprise EP 'Never Stop' Amid Diddy Trial". ..::That Grape Juice.net::.. - Thirsty?. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  16. ↑ Jennn, London (June 27, 2025). "Kanye West & King Combs Drop New EP Featuring Diddy & Controversial North West Cameo". AllHipHop. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  17. ↑ Legaspi, Althea (March 16, 2025). "Kanye West Drops Diddy Song With Daughter North After Dispute With Kim Kardashian Over Release". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  18. 1 2 Moran, Caitlin (March 19, 2025). "Kanye West's latest mad move — a duet for his daughter with P Diddy". The Times. Archived from the original on March 19, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  19. ↑ Peters, Mitchell (March 16, 2025). "Ye Releases New Song Apparently Featuring Diddy & Daughter North West". Billboard. Archived from the original on March 16, 2025. Retrieved May 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ King Combs, Ye & Kanye West - NEVER STOP, Tidal, June 27, 2025, archived from the original on June 27, 2025, retrieved July 2, 2025
  21. ↑ NEVER STOP by King Combs & Ye on Apple Music, June 27, 2025, archived from the original on June 30, 2025, retrieved July 2, 2025
  22. ↑ "YouTube Music". YouTube Music. Archived from the original on June 30, 2025. Retrieved July 2, 2025.
  23. ↑ West, Kanye (June 26, 2025). "New King Combs project Never Stop Executive produced by me dropping tonight". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on July 6, 2025. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  24. ↑ King Combs - Repeat Me, August 22, 2025, archived from the original on October 7, 2025, retrieved September 26, 2025
  25. ↑ Mamo, Heran (September 18, 2025). "King Combs Reflects on 'One of the Darkest Times in My Life' in Music Video for Ye-Produced 'Lonely Roads'". Billboard. Retrieved September 26, 2025.
  26. ↑ Walker, Joe (June 27, 2025). "Kanye West drops album with Diddy's son". HipHopHero. Retrieved June 27, 2025.
  27. ↑ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved June 29, 2025.
  28. ↑ Quincy (June 27, 2025). "King Combs & Kanye West – Never Stop (Album Review)". RGM. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  29. ↑ Cole, Alexander (March 30, 2023). "Kanye West & King Combs Team Up On Seven-Track EP "NEVER STOP"". HotNewHipHop. Archived from the original on December 31, 2025. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  30. ↑ ""King Combs" on the ASCAP Repertory". ASCAP. Retrieved July 28, 2026.
  31. ↑ @ItsAdey (June 27, 2025). "🙂‍↕️ produced "souls outro"". X (formerly Twitter). Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  32. ↑ @olyevns (June 27, 2025). "NEVER STOP @kingcombs & @ye out now. blessed to be a part. thank you Hass. thank you Ye. more w Ye soon". Instagram. Archived from the original on August 12, 2025. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
  33. ↑ @prodbyjuice2 (June 27, 2025). "@kingcombs "Never Stop" OUT NOW. #3 "People Like Me" 🧃x @3000fuego x @ye. @bumpj on the ✍️". Instagram.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  34. ↑ @traxster (July 4, 2025). "Credits on @KingCombs "Never Stop"". Retrieved October 14, 2025 – via Instagram.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.