Ahead of MTV’s “Making The Band” return, Diddy has announced that DaBaby will judge auditions in Charlotte, which are set to go down March 13-14. Diddy, who will return as a permanent judge on the show, revealed the North Carolina native’s involvement on Instagram in a video he posted before undergoing surgery for a quadriceps tendon tear.
“Before I go under, I made a very, very important decision for ‘Making The Band,’” he began the clip. “The show is coming back. We have our first auditions in Atlanta next weekend. I’m gonna be watching and judging from my bed at home, I’m sending the Combs cartel down there.”
“But, for clarity, I’m looking for singers. Singers. It’s time we bring R&B back,” he continued. “Male and female singers. You could be any race, creed, color, sexuality — but you have to be able to sing. You have to be able to dance. I’m looking for future superstars, the next generation of superstars. I want y’all to be clear. I’m looking for R&B / pop singers, so we can make the biggest band in the world.”
The series, which first aired in 2000, went on to bolster the likes of Danity Kane, Day26, Da Band and Donnie Klang.
“Think NSYNC, 112, Destiny’s Child, Fifth Harmony, The Supremes, The Temptations, Day26, New Edition, BBD, En Vogue, TLC,” Diddy said. “Superstars. If you can sing, make sure that you send us your auditions socially or you can catch us [in] North Carolina. My man DaBaby is gonna be a judge of that.”
According to Deadline, Diddy, Christian Combs, Quincy Brown, Justin Combs and LaurieAnn Gibson will judge the show’s reboot. Auditions are set to be held in Atlanta on Feb. 28-28, Houston on March 7-8, Charlotte and finally New York on March 21-22.
Even before the show, DaBaby has been steadily building up a Charlotte-bred roster for his Billion Dollar Entertainment record label. Talent on the label from DaBaby’s hometown include Stunna 4 Vegas, Rich Dunk and DJ K.i.D.
See Diddy’s full announcement below.