The Diplomats Albums (4)
'Philadelphia Beast'
Release Date 10/25/2005
Tracks 15
Label Sure Shot Recordings
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 2'
Release Date 10/19/2004
Tracks 17
Label Koch
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Since their sprawling debut, Cam'ron worked his Diplomats crew hard through numerous mixtapes, both as a unit and solo, with features for Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and J.R. Writer. Maybe that's why Diplomatic Immunity 2 is so much tighter than the first edition, but dropping the two-disc format in favor of just one helps more than a little. Adding to it is the crew's move from Roc-a-fella to Koch -- felt out by Jim Jones' signing to the label -- since Koch seems to be very hands-off, leaving the Diplos and leader Cam'ron with plenty of freedom. Cam'ron gives the opening "Stop-n-Go" a full six minutes to really flow, a proclamation that this is an album that won't be tamed. Juelz Santana is evolving into a thrilling MC who's more an exciting host than a lyrically gifted one. He's fine playing this role on his boastful "S.A.N.T.A.N.A." and is supported by lively, inspired production -- something that graces the whole album. It's raw, with a meter-peaking mixtape feel and plenty of crafty samples. Producer Stay Gettin' lays a hectic tornado of drums on "Get Use to This" while an Exorcist-styled piano kicks 40 Cal's already infectious theme song to a new level. Copping Tears for Fears for "So Free" is thrilling and kicks off the album's exciting fourth quarter. The busy interpolation of "Push It" gives lyric lovers plenty to scribble down, and the closing "Crunk Muzik" should have every hip-hop head yearning for more -- not something you could say about the first Diplomatic Immunity. Light years ahead of its predecessor, Diplomatic Immunity 2 justifies Cam'ron's crew while giving his fans a proper, jeep-worthy mixtape. ~ David Jeffries, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
On his third record, Come Home With Me, Cam'ron began paving the way for a few of his prot�g�s (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, All Music Guide
