Sean Combs - the rap artist formerly known as Puff Daddy - made a foray on to the stage last night with his Broadway debut.
The performer, producer, fashion entrepreneur and ex-boyfriend of Jennifer Lopez appeared in the production of Lorraine Hansberry's A Raisin in the Sun.
Reviews were mixed, with one critic calling him "pretty damn good" but another bemoaning the rapper's "lack of experience and depth".
Combs plays the role of Walter Lee, a 34-year-old man living in his childhood home in 1950s Chicago.
He is trying to hold his family together, contending with a dominant mother and frustrated wife.
"Combs clearly did not slack off in preparing for his latest challenge," praised USA Today which gave him a "solid 'c"' for his performance.
"But projecting is not the same thing as acting, and the finely textured work of Combs' accomplished co-stars makes his own lack of experience and depth all too apparent."
The New York Times said Combs appeared on stage looking "appealingly tousled and sleepy-eyed".
"Mr Combs seems at first to have made a daring actor's choice that he just might pull off," the Times said.
But it goes on: "Clearly, Mr Combs has left lots of space for Walter to grow. Unfortunately, that space is never filled."
The Hollywood Reporter magazine said Combs was overshadowed by the other acting talent on stage.
"Unfortunately, it's Combs' inexperience that ultimately rises to the forefront, and despite some effective moments, his performance is too amateurish and unskilled to hold the production together in the way that it should," it wrote.
But the New York Post gave Combs the thumbs up.
"Confidently stepping into the role made famous by Sidney Poitier, Combs was - believe it or not - pretty damn good," it wrote.
"Admittedly, Sidney Poitier he was not - and Denzel Washington, Morgan Freeman and Samuel L Jackson need not shake in their boots, at least for now.
"But Combs exceeded expectations as the petulant, truculent and brooding young hero..." it added.
A Raisin in the Sun is showing at the Royale Theatre on Broadway.
