Diplomats Diplomatic Immunity CD

2cds-Parental Advisory. Cam'Ron's Band

The Diplomats: Cam'ron, Jimmy Jones, Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey (rap vocals).
Additional personnel includes: Master P, DMX.
Producers include: Kanye West, Heatmakerz, E-Bass, Charlemagne, Ralph Random.
Principally recorded at Baseline, Quad, Sony Music, and Hit Factory Studios, New York, New York.
Audio Mixers: Carlisle Young; Eric Butler.
Recording information: Baseline Studios, New York, NY; Galaxy Studios, NJ; Hit Factory, New York, NY; Quad Studios, New York, NY; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY.
Photographer: Jonathan Mannion.
On his third record, Come Home With Me, Cam'ron began paving the way for a few of his protégés (Juelz Santana, Jimmy Jones [aka the Ghetto's Advocate], Freekey Zekey), and the foursome came together as the Diplomats for a massive two-disc extravaganza, Diplomatic Immunity. With three of the four due for another full Roc-A-Fella release later in 2003 -- plus a film release for Come Home With Me -- the big question became quantity control, so it's no wonder that their combined talents can't keep this two-hour release together. As on Come Home With Me, the combination of Cam'ron with producer Just Blaze provides the highlights, "I Really Mean It" and the Starship-sampling "Built This City." Both of them appear on the second disc, and there really isn't much to recommend on the first. There's a pointless remix of the Cam'ron/Juelz Santana/Freekey Zekey feature "Hey Ma" (originally on Come Home With Me), with Toya providing some R&B vocals, and the bizarre inclusion of "Bout It Bout It, Pt. III" featuring Master P himself. Aside from Cam'ron, the Diplomats aren't good enough to carry these tracks themselves, and the lack of quality productions (or producers) makes this an easy one to skip, even for fans of Cam'ron. ~ John Bush
On his third record, Come Home With Me, Cam'ron began paving the way for a few of his protégés (Juelz Santana, Jimmy Jones [aka the Ghetto's Advocate], Freekey Zekey), and the foursome came together as the Diplomats for a massive two-disc extravaganza, Diplomatic Immunity. With three of the four due for another full Roc-A-Fella release later in 2003 -- plus a film release for Come Home With Me -- the big question became quantity control, so it's no wonder that their combined talents can't keep this two-hour release together. As on Come Home With Me, the combination of Cam'ron with producer Just Blaze provides the highlights, "I Really Mean It" and the Starship-sampling "Built This City." Both of them appear on the second disc, and there really isn't much to recommend on the first. There's a pointless remix of the Cam'ron/Juelz Santana/Freekey Zekey feature "Hey Ma" (originally on Come Home With Me), with Toya providing some R&B vocals, and the bizarre inclusion of "Bout It Bout It, Pt. III" featuring Master P himself. Aside from Cam'ron, the Diplomats aren't good enough to carry these tracks themselves, and the lack of quality productions (or producers) makes this an easy one to skip, even for fans of Cam'ron. ~ John Bush
For his fourth release Cam'ron enlists the talents of three up-and-comers (Juelz Santana, Freeky Zeekey, and Jimmy Jones) for a colorful and extended foray through New York mores in general and those of their respective 'hoods in Harlem in particular. A typical cut, "Ground Zero," is ostensibly 9/11-related, but closer listening will reveal that it's about that gangsta staple, drugs, the thugs that deal them, and the marks that take them. There are flashes of humor amid the gritty material; "Real Ni***s," with its accompanying skit, neatly skewers the "keeping it real" philosophy, and has a smooth Gamble & Huff sample to boot.
The overall thug-life lyrical slant is leavened with other imaginative samples and arrangements of this ilk, and the double-CD format gives the posse the space to display its comedic skills over the course of several skits. DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY could easily be accused ofRolling Stone (5/1/03, p.53) - 3 stars out of 5 - "...A woozy, entrancing blend that even when traipsing on sacred ground--'Let's Go' chops up Marvin Gaye's "let's Get It On'--keeps its signature voice..."
Mojo (Publisher) (7/03, p.115) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A record representing the state of the art in mainstream-aimed hip hop..."