Diplomatic Immunity (The Diplomats album)

Diplomatic Immunity
Diplomatic Immunity
Studio album by The Diplomats
Released	March 25, 2003
Recorded	2002–03
Studio	Galaxy Studios (Newark, NJ); Baseline Studios (New York, NY); Quad Recording Studios (New York, NY); Sony Music Studios (New York, NY); The Hit Factory (New York, NY);
Genre	East Coast hip hop; chipmunk soul;
Length	1:47:09
Label	Island Def Jam; Def Jam; Diplomat; Roc-A-Fella;
Producer	Cam'ron (exec.); Jim Jones (exec.); Brian "All Day" Miller; Charlemagne; DR Period; Hiroshima; Just Blaze; Kanye West; KLC; Mafia Boy; Paperchase Inc.; Ralph Random; Spike n Jamahl; The Heatmakerz; E-Bass (co.);
The Diplomats chronology
Singles from Diplomatic Immunity
	"Bout It Bout It..., Part III"; Released: 2002; "Built This City"; Released: January 14, 2003; "Dipset Anthem"; Released: July 22, 2003;

Diplomatic Immunity is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Diplomats, released via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Def Jam Recordings, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's Diplomat Records.

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	^[1]
HipHopDX	3/5^[2]
RapReviews	4.5/10^[3]
The Guardian	^[4]

The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, selling 92,000 copies in its first week in the United States.^[5] By May 19, 2003, it was certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America for selling 500,000 units in the US alone. In 2012, Complex named the album one of the classic albums of its decade.^[6]

Background

After the release of group leader Cam'ron's third studio album Come Home with Me for Roc-A-Fella Records, the collective composed of Jim Jones, Juelz Santana and Freekey Zekey teamed up to release their first collaborative effort.

Originally scheduled for a March 4, 2003 release,^[7] the album's release date was delayed to March 11, 2003. After the release date was again delayed, the album was ultimately released March 25, 2003. Recording sessions took place at Baseline Studios, Quad Recording Studios, Sony Music Studios and The Hit Factory in New York City, and at Galaxy Studios in Newark, New Jersey. Production was handled by The Heatmakerz, DR Period, Just Blaze, Brian "All Day" Miller, Charlemagne, Hiroshima, Jamahl, Kanye West, KLC, Mafia Boy, Paperchase Inc, Ralph Random, Spike and E-Bass, with Cam'ron and Jim Jones serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from DMX, Freeway, Master P, Monique Chandler, Shaniqua Williams, Toya and Un Kasa. The album spawned three singles: "Bout It Bout It..., Part III", "Built This City" and "Dipset Anthem".

Diplomatic Immunity is the only album by The Diplomats under Island Def Jam, Def Jam and Roc-A-Fella. In 2004, The Diplomats signed to Koch Records for distribution, though the company stayed on Diplomat Records.

Cam'ron described the album as "9/11 music",^[8] and it antagonised the country in the attack's aftermath while adopting its imagery. On "Gangsta", Juelz Santana compares himself to Osama bin Laden, and an original version of "I Love You" made references to Mohamed Atta.^[9]

Track listing

Disc 1
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
1.	"Un Kasa" (Cam'Ron featuring Un Kasa)	Cameron Giles Antonio Wilder Brian Miller Kanye West Robert Bryson William Wilson	Brian "All Day" Miller Kanye West E-Bass (co.)	3:38
2.	"Juelz Santana (Interlude)" (Freekey Zekey & Jimmy Jones)			0:56
3.	"Who I Am" (Juelz Santana)	LaRon James Gregory Green Sean Thomas Giles Phil Hurtt Walter Sigler	The Heatmakerz	4:19
4.	"Ground Zero" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	James Giles Joseph Jones Kenneth Cunningham Jamahl Rye	Spike Jamahl	5:13
5.	"Real Niggas (Interlude)" (Freekey Zekey featuring Monique Chandler)			1:28
6.	"Real Niggas" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	Giles James Jones Darryl Pittman Kenneth Gamble Leon Huff	DR Period	3:46
7.	"Have You Seen Juelz Santana (Interlude)" (Freekey Zekey featuring Shaniqua Williams)			0:44
8.	"More Than Music" (Juelz Santana)	James Green Thomas Giles Robert Dukes Eddie Levert	The Heatmakerz	4:08
9.	"Beautiful Noise" (Cam'Ron & Jimmy Jones)	Jones Giles Henri Charlemagne Michael Durio	Charlemagne E-Bass (co.)	4:39
10.	"Dipset Anthem" (also known as "Gangsta Music") (Cam'Ron & Juelz Santana)	James Giles Green Thomas Sam Dees	The Heatmakerz	4:09
11.	"Hey Ma (Remix)" (Cam'Ron & Juelz Santana featuring Toya)	Giles James Pittman Lionel Richie	DR Period Mafia Boy	5:17
12.	"Hell Rell (Interlude)" (Cam'Ron, Freekey Zekey & Hell Rell)			2:03
13.	"This Is What I Do" (Cam'Ron & Hell Rell)	Giles Durell Mohammed Green Thomas	The Heatmakerz	4:05
14.	"Gangsta" (Cam'Ron & Juelz Santana)	James Ralph Cheuveret	Ralph Random	5:14
15.	"Hell Rell Freestyle"			1:46

Disc 2
No.	Title	Writer(s)	Producer(s)	Length
16.	"I Really Mean It" (Cam'Ron & Jimmy Jones)	Giles Jones Justin Smith Joseph Jefferson Charles Simmons	Just Blaze	4:21
17.	"My Love" (Juelz Santana featuring Freeway)	James Leslie Pridgen Green Thomas James Ingram	The Heatmakerz	3:22
18.	"I Love You" (Cam'Ron & Juelz Santana)	James Giles Green Thomas Jerry Butler William Butler	The Heatmakerz E-Bass (co.)	4:11
19.	"Purple Haze" (Cam'Ron)	Giles Green Thomas Dorothy Moore	The Heatmakerz	4:38
20.	"The First" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	Jones Giles James Jeff Tyzik	Hiroshima	4:55
21.	"Juelz Santana the Great" (Juelz Santana)	James Green Thomas Giles	The Heatmakerz	4:57
22.	"DJ Enuff Freestyle" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	Giles James Jones Green Thomas Earl Randle Renee Kirk	The Heatmakerz	5:11
23.	"What's Really Good" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones featuring DMX)	Giles Jones James Earl Simmons Aquanza Jones	Paperchase Inc. E-Bass (co.)	6:02
24.	"I'm Ready" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	James Jones Giles Green Thomas Barbara Mason	The Heatmakerz	4:41
25.	"Bout It Bout It..., Part III" (Cam'Ron & Jimmy Jones featuring Master P)	Giles Jones Percy Miller Craig Lawson Mia Young	KLC	5:20
26.	"Built This City" (Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana & Jimmy Jones)	Giles Jones James Smith Martin Page Bernie Taupin Peter Wolf Dennis Lambert	Just Blaze	6:03
27.	"Let's Go" (Cam'Ron & Hell Rell)	Giles Green Thomas Marvin Gaye Ed Townsend	The Heatmakerz	2:03
Total length:				1:47:09

Notes

Built This City features an uncredited guest appearance from Hell Rell

Sample credits

Track 1 contains a sample from "Why Don't You Make Up Your Mind" written by Robert Bryson and William Wilson.
Track 3 contains elements of The O'Jays recording "Who Am I" written by Phil Hurtt and Bunny Sigler.
Track 4 contains samples from the Winger recording "Headed for a Heartbreak" written by Kip Winger.
Track 6 contains a sample from "Cry Together" written by Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff as performed by The O'Jays.
Track 8 contains a sample of "Help (Somebody Please)" written by Robert Dukes and Eddie Levert as performed by The O'Jays.
Track 9 contains an interpolation of "Closer" written by Michael Durio.
Track 10 contains a sample of "One In A Million" written by Sam Dees as performed by Sanchez.
Track 11 contains excerpts from "Easy Like Sunday Morning" written by Lionel Richie as performed by the Commodores.
Track 16 contains a sample from the Major Harris recording "I Got Over Love" written by Joseph Jefferson and Charles Simmons.
Track 17 contains a sample of "Look What You've Done" written by James Ingram as performed by The Moments.
Track 18 contains elements of "I Stand Accused" written by William E. Butler and Jerry Butler.
Track 19 contains elements of "Too Blind To See" written and performed by Dorothy Moore.
Track 20 contains a sample from "Let There Be Light" written by Jeff Tyzik, and portions of "1st of tha Month".
Track 22 contains a sample of "Mirror Of My Soul" written by Earl Randle and Renee Kirk as performed by O. V. Wright.
Track 24 contains vocal excerpts and samples from "Yes, I'm Ready" written and performed by Barbara Mason.
Track 25 contains a sample from "Bout It Bout It II" written by Craig Lawson, Percy Miller and Mia Young as performed by Master P.
Track 26 contains a sample of "We Built This City" written by Martin Page, Bernie Taupin, Peter Wolf and Dennis Lambert as performed by Starship.
Track 27 contains a sample from "Let's Get It On" written by Marvin Gaye and Ed Townsend as performed by Marvin Gaye.

Personnel

Cameron "Cam'Ron" Giles – vocals (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 9-11, 13-16, 18-20, 22-27), executive producer, A&R
LaRon "Juelz Santana" James – vocals (tracks: 3, 4, 6, 8, 10, 11, 14, 15, 17, 18, 20-24, 26, 27), A&R
Joseph "Jimmy" Jones – vocals (tracks: 2, 4, 6, 9, 15, 16, 20, 21-26), executive producer, A&R, management
Ezekiel "Freekey Zekey" Giles – vocals (tracks: 2, 5, 7, 12)
Durell "Hell Rell" Mohammed – vocals (tracks: 12, 13, 15, 26)
Antonio "Un Kasa" Wilder – vocals (track 1)
Monique Chandler – vocals (track 5)
Shaniqua Williams – vocals (track 7)
LaToya "Toya" Rodriguez – vocals (track 11)
Leslie "Freeway" Pridgen – vocals (track 17)
Earl "DMX" Simmons – vocals (track 23)
Percy "Master P" Miller – vocals (track 25)
Brian "All Day" Miller – producer (track 1)
Kanye West – producer (track 1)
Gregory "Rsonist" Green – producer (tracks: 3, 8, 10, 13, 17-19, 21, 22, 24, 27)
Sean "Thrilla" Thomas – producer (tracks: 3, 8, 10, 13, 17-19, 21, 22, 24, 27)
Kenneth "Spike" Cunningham – producer (track 4)
Jamahl Rashid Rye – producer (track 4)
Darryl "DR Period" Pittman – producer (tracks: 6, 11)
Henri Charlemagne – producer (track 9)
Mafia Boy – producer (track 11)
Ralph "Random" Cheuveret – producer (track 14)
Justin "Just Blaze" Smith – producer (tracks: 16, 26)
DJ HirOshima – producer (track 20)
Aquanza "Paperchase Inc." Jones – producer (track 23)
Craig "KLC" Lawson – producer (track 25)
Eric "E-Bass" Johnson – co-producer (tracks: 1, 9, 18, 23)
George "DukeDaGod" Moore – recording (tracks: 1, 4, 6, 8, 13, 21), A&R
Shane "Bermuda" Woodley – recording (tracks: 3, 9, 17, 18, 20)
Carlisle Young – recording (tracks: 10, 19), mixing (tracks: 1, 3, 6, 8, 9, 18-22, 27)
Eric "Ibo" Butler – recording (tracks: 11, 14, 22, 23), mixing (tracks: 4, 10, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 23-25)
Gimel "Young Guru" Keaton – recording (tracks: 16, 24-26), mixing (track 26)
Tony Dawsey – mastering
Akisia Grigsby – art direction
Jonathan Mannion – photography
Tara Podolsky – A&R
Darcell Lawrence – A&R
Ramses Francois – A&R assistant
Travis Cumming – A&R assistant
Jamel George – A&R assistant

Charts

Weekly charts

Chart (2003)	Peak position
US Billboard 200^[10]	8
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[11]	1

Year-end charts

Chart (2003)	Position
US Billboard 200^[12]	196
US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums (Billboard)^[13]	44

Certifications


Region	Certification	Certified units/sales
United States (RIAA)^[14]	Gold	500,000^{^}
^{^} Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

^ Bush, John. "Cam'ron, The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ Johnson, Sherman (April 1, 2003). "Cam'Ron Presents The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ Juon, Steve 'Flash' (March 25, 2003). "The Diplomats :: Diplomatic Immunity – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ Lynskey, Dorian (April 11, 2003). "The Diplomats: Diplomatic Immunity". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ "Linkin Park's 'Meteora' Crashes Chart At No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2014.
^ Moore, Jacob (December 6, 2012). "25 Rap Albums From the Past Decade That Deserve Classic Status". Complex. Retrieved December 8, 2012.
^ Strong, Nolan (December 23, 2002). "Cam'ron Strikes Platinum". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved October 4, 2006.
^ Melnick, Jeffrey (September 15, 2011). "Shout-Outs". 9/11 Culture. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-4443-5815-5.
^ Abdurraqib, Hanif (March 8, 2022). A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance. Random House Publishing Group. pp. 53–54. ISBN 978-1-9848-0120-3.
^ "The Diplomats Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ "The Diplomats Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2023.
^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
^ "American album certifications – The Diplomats – Diplomatic Immunity". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2024.

External links

Cam'ron Presents... The Diplomats – Diplomatic Immunity at Discogs (list of releases)

[1] Bush, John. "Cam'ron, The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[2] Johnson, Sherman (April 1, 2003). "Cam'Ron Presents The Diplomats - Diplomatic Immunity". HipHopDX. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[3] Juon, Steve 'Flash' (March 25, 2003). "The Diplomats :: Diplomatic Immunity – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[4] Lynskey, Dorian (April 11, 2003). "The Diplomats: Diplomatic Immunity". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[5] "Linkin Park's 'Meteora' Crashes Chart At No. 1". Billboard. Retrieved May 24, 2014.

[6] Moore, Jacob (December 6, 2012). "25 Rap Albums From the Past Decade That Deserve Classic Status". Complex. Retrieved December 8, 2012.

[comeplat-7] Strong, Nolan (December 23, 2002). "Cam'ron Strikes Platinum". AllHipHop.com. Archived from the original on October 20, 2006. Retrieved October 4, 2006.

[8] Melnick, Jeffrey (September 15, 2011). "Shout-Outs". 9/11 Culture. John Wiley & Sons. ISBN 978-1-4443-5815-5.

[9] Abdurraqib, Hanif (March 8, 2022). A Little Devil in America: In Praise of Black Performance. Random House Publishing Group. pp. 53–54. ISBN 978-1-9848-0120-3.

[ac_Billboard200_The_Diplomats-10] "The Diplomats Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[ac_BillboardRandBHipHop_The_Diplomats-11] "The Diplomats Chart History (Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved September 6, 2023.

[12] "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.

[13] "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums – Year-End 2003". Billboard. Retrieved September 8, 2020.

[United_StatesThe_DiplomatsDiplomatic_ImmunityalbumCertRef-14] "American album certifications – The Diplomats – Diplomatic Immunity". Recording Industry Association of America. Retrieved September 17, 2024.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]