Juelz Santana talks Diplomats reunion and New Album

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

What may have been more surprising than The Diplomats breaking up was likely their reunion. When the crew split, Cam'ron tried, several times, to reconcile. Each time he reached out, Jim Jones refused to hear it. In 2009, Cam'ron made his official comeback and Jim Jones wanted to reunite.

Cam'ron, at this point, was done with the feud and focused on his business ventures. Before the end of 2009, Cam'ron and Jim Jones reunited and Diplomat Records was back. By 2010, the members were completing their obligations to land an exclusive distribution deal.

Diplomat Records, including all the Dipset members, landed with Interscope Records. Irv Gotti later revealed he helped the crew land this deal. For over a year, The Diplomats have been signed to Interscope Records. For over two years, they have been reunited. With all this, fans have remained patiently waiting on their Diplomatic Immunity 3.

Juelz Santana recently discussed this, saying all the individual members are currently working on new solo albums. However, they do not want to rush their group project. They have started working on the new album, but they are not going to force things on the new album.

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Jim Jones speaks on the State of Diplomat Records

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following three years of separation, Diplomat Records is back and stronger than ever. In recent years, the roles of Cam'ron and Jim Jones have reversed. Initially, Jones was the businessman and Cam was the star. But, Cam'ron has a renewed focus on business, while Jim Jones basks in the spotlight.

However, there was a team effort behind landing the exclusive distribution deal with Interscope Records. Over the years, Dipset has had deals with several labels at once. Cam'ron found a nice home for his music with Asylum Records and Jones was at home with Koch. It was a match made in heaven, but they had to move on.

With his Capo album on the way, Jim Jones opened up on the state of the Diplomats. The crew is focused on making music and Jones said a higher level of mutual respect is behind their success. Jim Jones said the new respect level gives him a good feeling about the future of the company. All of the artists are recording new music and Jim Jones also warned of a new group project coming.

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Jim Jones talks Dr. Dre, Diplomats reunion, and New Music

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Following the way Jim Jones and Cam'ron treated each other for nearly two years, it shocked fans when they reunited. Early in 2007, a feud erupted between Cam'ron and 50 Cent. Cam'ron's crew, which includes Jim Jones and Juelz Santana, ended up taking sides and they sided with 50 Cent.

Cam'ron spent one year away from the spotlight while Jim Jones began dissing Cam'ron. Late in 2008, Cam'ron returned with a new outlook on life. His tone changed, now focusing solely on making more money. Cam'ron even reached out to Jay-Z, understanding where he comes from and respecting his hustle.

Reunited, the Diplomats raised more eyebrows when they landed a distribution deal with Interscope Records. Their move comes right after 50 Cent left Interscope on bad terms. Now, Cam'ron reaps the benefits of trading lyrics with Eminem over Dr. Dre beats. Jim Jones recently discussed working with the rejuvenated doctor.

Jones said he, along with Cam'ron and Juelz Santana, have recorded several songs produced by Dr. Dre. He joked of how Dre does not trust him with their beats. After recording the songs, Dr. Dre has taken the songs and is keeping them to himself until the albums are ready. Jones said Dr. Dre is a teacher in the studio, helping him pronounce his words better to perfect the rhyme. Jim Jones said they were immediately linked up with Dr. Dre and Eminem when the contracts were signed.

Speaking on Cam'ron, Jones announced he would appear on "Getting to the Money," a single off his upcoming Capo album. The Capo release will be Jim Jones' final independent release. His Interscope debut will be released on the 4th of July. Jones said he returned to E1 because if his deal with Sony did not turn out right, he was contractually obligated to record his next album with E1. Plus, Jim Jones did better numbers with then-Koch Records, than he did on Columbia Records.

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The Diplomats announce Tour Dates

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

Having been reunited for a little over a year, The Diplomats are making major moves. Last year, the crew landed a distribution deal with Interscope Records. This followed years of deals with Def Jam, Koch, and Sony.

Finally with an exclusive home, The Diplomats have worked with Dr. Dre and are preparing to release their new albums. With everything looking up for the crew, they have decided to re-connect with their fans.

While they are waiting for Jimmy Iovine to finalize their deal, The Diplomats will strike out on a nine city tour to meet their fans again. The tour will include Cam'ron, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, and newcomer Vado. The tour will also serve as a means of promotion for Jim Jones' Capo album. Jones' release will be the first release from Diplomat Records under the Interscope umbrella.

Tour Dates

March 17, 2011: Chicago, Ill., The Congress Theater
March 18, 2011: Minneapolis, Minn., Epic
March 23, 2011: Buffalo, N.Y., Town Ballroom
March 24, 2011: Philadelphia, Penn., The Trocadero Theatre
March 25, 2011: Albany, N.Y., Northern Lights
March 26, 2011: New York, N.Y., Best Buy
April 7, 2011: Houston, Texas, Numbers
April 10, 2011: Austin, Texas, Emo's
April 16, 2011: San Diego, Calif., 4th & B

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Cam'ron talks about Jim Jones and Juelz Santana

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

After nearly three years of feuding, The Diplomats have been reunited and they are glad about that. Cam'ron was ousted from his own group early in 2007. Early in the year, Cam'ron began feuding with 50 Cent and his group-mates sided with 50 Cent.

In the time he spent away, Cam'ron built another crew. Despite their feuds, Cam'ron, Juelz Santana, and Jim Jones all remained a part of Diplomat Records. But, they each ran their own sub-division of the label.

Last year, the trio reunited and they have been inseparable ever since. Cam'ron recently spoke about his relationship with both of his partners. Cam said he is glad to be on the same side with them again.

Cam'ron also went on to say they are pumping out tons of new music. He admitted to the people that Jim Jones and Juelz Santana are studio rats. They hardly ever take time off when they go into the studio. When it comes to recording, they spend hours at the time making their new music. Cam'ron said the next Diplomats album should be released sometime before the end of this year. After going through what they have been through, Cam'ron said to expect a classic.

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Pusha T replies to Dipset and discusses G.O.O.D deal

By The Hip Hop Writer
Hip Hop Vibe Staff Writer

The past month has been great for Pusha T. A few years ago, he attempted to land a solo career. Ever since 2002, he has been one half of The Clipse. The crew made multiple hits in the 2002-2003, but has fallen off since.

Earlier this month, Pusha T ended up signing with Kanye West and his G.O.O.D. Music label. Right when things began to look good, following his VMA performance of "Runway," the crew takes in a diss from Dipset. Dipset has been a long rival of Kanye West.

Despite his solo career seemingly taking off, Pusha T still wants people to know The Clipse still exists. But, at this point in his life, he wants to do something for himself. Currently, Malice is writing a book and doing a film.

Once he feels something good coming, Pusha T hopes The Clipse can come out with another album and more music can come from the Re-Up gang. Right now, Pusha is focusing on making the overall brand grow under the G.O.O.D. Music name. With the focus on the brand, Pusha T quickly dismissed the diss from Jim Jones, by asking if the "Runway" diss was good because he had not heard it.

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Jim Jones reflects on Cam'ron falling out

The ongoing feud between Jim Jones and Cam'ron has reversed from what it was in the beginning. Initially, it was Jones that forced Cam out of the group. Meanwhile, Cam'ron was pushing for a reunion that was denied by Jim Jones. The two rappers did speak for a short period of time one year ago. In the time since that talk, it has been Jones pushing for the reunion while Cam closed the door.

Apparently, the feud between Cam'ron and Jim Jones had been going on for some time. People began wondering what was going on when Jones took over for Cam in the Jay-Z feud. Early in 2007, Cam'ron would return to the spotlight and begin a feud with 50 Cent. Going against what most crew members would do, Jones aligned himself with the G-Unit crew.

Later, Cam'ron expressed his feelings about the situation, but he said that he was not going to get upset about it. Recently, Jim Jones looked back on the origins of his feud with Cam and he said that he feels that he never turned his back on Cam'ron. Even with all of the negative things that Cam has said about him, Jones does not feel that Cam ever turned his back on him, either.

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