What recession? Diddy spends like it’s 1999 on over-the-top birthday bash

Hip-hop mogul Sean ‘P Diddy’ Combs rarely needs a reason to throw a fabulous soiree, but to celebrate his 40^th birthday, he went all out with a lavish, star-studded party at the iconic Plaza Hotel in New York.

The father-of-five spent $3million on the ‘party of the century’ at the hotel’s famous Grand Ballroom on Thursday.

Diddy hired celebrity event planner Bronson Van Wyck to transform the 1920s ballroom into a ‘fantasy dreamland’, featuring a maze, fashion shows and performance art installations. Guests at the party were greeted by ballerinas carrying trays of drinks. Combs spent $30,000 on flowers alone, which featured white orchids and a black chandelier which hung over the dancefloor.

The 500 guests quaffed champagne and vodka and were treated to a performance of ‘Love and Happiness’ by soul singer Al Green. Writing on his Twitter micro-blogging page the morning after, he said: ‘I haven’t had a hangover in five years! But I have one now! What do I do?’

Celebrity guests from the worlds of hip-hop and Hollywood gathered for the epic party, which lasted long into the early hours of Friday morning. The partygoers included Jay-Z, Denzel Washington, Estelle, Kim Kardashian, Rachel Hunter, Cassie, Black Eyed Peas rapper Taboo, Spike Lee, Lil’ Kim, Martha Stewart, Jimmy Fallon and Nelly.

Among the many guests were some of Diddy’s family members, including his mother Janice Combs and two sons Justin, 15, and Christian, 11. Diddy also has three daughters, twins D’Lila Star and Jessie James, two, and Chance, three, who were deemed too young to join in the adult party. Also in attendance was Diddy’s on/off girlfriend Kim Porter, mother of Christian and the twins.