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Diplomat Records

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For the budget record label, see Synthetic Plastics Company.
Diplomat Records, LLC.
Founded2001
Founder
StatusActive
Distributor(s)The Island Def Jam Music Group
Genre
Country of originUnited States

Diplomat Records is an American hip hop record label co-founded by Harlem rappers Jim Jones and Cam'ron.

History

In the early 2000s, Dipset was very popular for having star rappers with radio hits like Juelz Santana and Cam'ron, as well as their association with Jay-Z and Damon Dash's Roc-A-Fella Records, which was distributed under Def Jam Recordings.[1][2][3] This resulted in four studio albums being released under the Dipset/Roc-A-Fella joint venture. In 2005, Dipset moved away from Roc-A-Fella after Jay-Z assumed presidency of Def Jam, which they took issue with.[4][5] They had already signed to independent music powerhouse MNRK Music Group (formerly Koch/eOne) the year prior.[6] Despite this, Juelz Santana's remained under contract with Def Jam for the time being until 2008 when Cam'ron sold his contract to the label in 2008.[7] Santana only released one album under his Dipset/Def Jam deal in late 2005. Even though the Diplomats/Koch partnership seemed financially improved over the Roc-A-Fella deal, only co-founder Jim Jones became the most successful Dipset artist under that deal; one notice was his single, "We Fly High" (2006) scoring among the Billboard top ten and going platinum the following year.[8] Between 2006 and 2009, Dipset was relatively quiet aside from Cam'ron and Jim Jones after alleged falling outs.[9] However, in 2010, they reunited and have begun to associate themselves with rapper Vado.[10] The recent release under Diplomat Records was in 2018 with the Empire-distributed Diplomatic Ties.[11][12]

Distribution

Diplomat Records doesn't have traditional distribution in the sense that each of its artists have deals with individual labels. In 2005, after signing with Koch (now MNRK Music) in 2004, then-president of A&R George "Duke Da God" Moore signed a deal to release the first official compilation through Dipset/Koch, Dipset: More Than Music, Vol. 1.[13] Also in 2005, when co-founder Cam'ron parted ways with Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam and signed with Warner Music Group's Alternative Distribution Alliance-distributed Asylum Records,[14] he secured that his albums to be released under Diplomat Records,[15] while also securing any future Diplomat group albums under Koch, with the exclusion of Juelz Santana, due to his obligations with Def Jam.[16] Former president Freekey Zekey[17][18] also released his debut album on Diplomat with distribution coming from Koch.[18] In addition to the deal with Koch to release the More Than Music, Vol. 1 compilation album, co-founder Jim Jones released his first three albums under Koch in association with Diplomat Records.[19][20][21] Juelz Santana also released his first two albums under Diplomat with distribution by Def Jam (one of which was his debut release under Def Jam's Roc-A-Fella),[22][23] until his contract as a solo artist with Diplomat was sold to Def Jam by Cam'ron in 2008.[24][25] In a 2008 interview, Diplomat member and signee 40 Cal. confirmed several labels that the individual members at the time (including J.R. Writer) were being distributed under Babygrande,[26] though earlier reports listed him as being distributed, like many others on the Diplomat label, through Koch.[27]

Artists

Former

Act Years
on the label 		Releases
under the label
Hell Rell 2003-2008 1
J.R. Writer 2003-2008 1
S.A.S (Euro Gang) 2003-2008 1
40 Cal 2004-2008 3
Max B 2005-2007; 2010[28] –
Freekey Zeekey 2002-2012 1
Vado 2009-2013 2

Discography

Artist Album Details
Cam'ron Come Home with Me
(released under Roc-A-Fella Records)
The Diplomats Diplomatic Immunity
(released under Roc-A-Fella Records)
  • Released: March 25, 2003
  • Chart positions: #8 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
  • Singles: "Dipset Anthem", "I Really Mean It"
Juelz Santana From Me to U
(released under Roc-A-Fella Records)
Jim Jones On My Way to Church
(released under Koch Entertainment)
The Diplomats Diplomatic Immunity 2
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: November 23, 2004
  • Chart position: #46 U.S.
  • Singles: "S.A.N.T.A.N.A.", "Crunk Muzik", "Push It"
Cam'ron Purple Haze
(released under Roc-A-Fella Records)
  • Released: December 7, 2004
  • Chart position: #20 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold[29]
  • U.S. sales: 800,000[30]
  • Singles: "Get Em Girl", "Girls", "Down and Out", "Hey Lady"
Various artists DukeDaGod Presents: More Than Music, Vol. 1[31]
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: July 12, 2005
  • Singles: "Get Down"
Jim Jones Harlem: Diary of a Summer
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: August 23, 2005
  • Chart position: #5 U.S.
  • Singles: "Baby Girl", "Summer Wit Miami", "What You Been Drankin' On"
Juelz Santana What the Game's Been Missing!
(released under Def Jam Recordings)
Cam'ron Killa Season
(released under Asylum Records)
  • Released: May 16, 2006
  • Chart position: #2 U.S.
  • RIAA certification: Gold
  • Singles: "Suck it or Not", "Wet Wipes"
J.R. Writer History in the Making
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: July 11, 2006
  • Chart position: #25 U.S.
  • Singles: "Grill 'Em", "Byrd Call"
40 Cal. Broken Safety
(released under Asylum Records)
  • Released: August 8, 2006
  • Chart position: #81 U.S. R&B
  • Singles: "Runnin' This Rap Shit"
Jim Jones Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment)
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: November 7, 2006
  • Chart position: #6 U.S.
  • Singles: "We Fly High", "Emotionless"
Various artists DukeDaGod Presents: More Than Music, Vol. 2[32]
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: May 8, 2007
Freekey Zekey Book of Ezekiel
(released under Asylum Records)
  • Released: July 24, 2007
  • Chart position: #154 U.S.
  • Singles: "Hater What You Lookin At", "Like This"
40 Cal. Broken Safety 2
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: September 11, 2007
  • Chart position: #151 U.S.
  • Singles: "The Big Boys"
Hell Rell For the Hell of It
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: September 25, 2007
  • Chart position: #55 U.S.
  • Singles: "Show Off"
Jim Jones Harlem's American Gangster
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: February 19, 2008
  • Chart positions: #19 U.S.
  • Singles: "Love Me No More"
40 Cal. The Yellow Tape
(released under Koch Entertainment)
  • Released: April 11, 2008
Cam'ron Crime Pays
(released under Asylum Records)
  • Released: May 12, 2009
  • Chart position: #3 U.S.
  • Singles: "My Job", "Get It In Ohio", "Cookies-n-Apple Juice"
U.N. Heat in Here Vol. 1
(released under Asylum Records)
  • Released: May 25, 2010
  • Chart position: #133 U.S.
Cam'ron & Vado Gunz n' Butta
(released under eOne Music)
  • Released: April 19, 2011
  • Singles: "Speaking in Tungs", "Hey Mama", "We All Up in Here"
The Diplomats Diplomatic Ties[33]
(released under Empire Distribution)
  • Released: November 21, 2018

References

  1. ^ Allah, Sha Be (2020-09-05). "Cam'Ron Turns Down VP Position at Roc-A-Fella Records 18 Years Ago". The Source. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  2. ^ "The Collapse Of The Dynasties: Roc-A-Fella & Dipset". Latest Hip Hop News - Rap News - Hip Hop Music - Hip Hop Videos & More | iHipHop. 2009-12-02. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  3. ^ "Cam'ron On Dipset, Roc-A-Fella, His Career, Past Issues With JAY-Z and Nas & More | Drink Champs". Thisis50. 2021-04-06. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  4. ^ Williams, Todd "Stereo" WilliamsTodd "Stereo". "Cam'ron Blasts Karen Civil on Instagram Over Her Jay Z/Dipset Story". The Boombox. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  5. ^ "Jay-Z Responds To Jim Jones". HipHopDX. 2006-10-31. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  6. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (2007-02-27). "Rappers Find That a Small Label Can Have Its Uses". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  7. ^ "Cam'ron Sells Juelz Santana To Def Jam For $2 Million". HipHopDX. 2008-07-31. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  8. ^ "Jim Jones Recalls "We Fly High" 10 Years Later: "I Actually Hate The Song"". Complex. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  9. ^ tffhthewriter (2017-02-09). "The Source |Jim Jones Talks Dipset Break Up, Jay-Z, Max B, French Montana and More with Funk Flex [Watch]". The Source. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  10. ^ "Jim Jones Breaks Down Dipset Break Up, The End of Rocafella, Jay Z, French Montana, Mendeecees, & MORE [VIDEO]". Hot97. 2017-02-09. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  11. ^ "Dipset: Diplomatic Ties". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  12. ^ "The Diplomats share new album Diplomatic Ties". The FADER. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  13. ^ (June 2005) Diplomat Records & Koch Records Announce New Partnership With Diplomats VP of A&R Duke "Da God" Accessed September 19, 2008.
  14. ^ Ozzie (April 30, 2005) Cam'ron inks deal with Asylum/Warner Accessed September 18, 2008.
  15. ^ Dave (April 30, 2005) Cam'ron leaves Rocafella Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine RapBasement Accessed September 18, 2008.
  16. ^ (June 2005) June 2005 Interview with Cam'ron Archived 2008-09-07 at the Wayback Machine XXL. Accessed September 19, 2008.
  17. ^ Edwards, Brandon. "Freekey Zekey So Harlem Pt. 1" Archived 2007-03-04 at the Wayback Machine, XXLmag.com, February 13, 2007. Accessed September 21, 2008.
  18. ^ a b Black Widow (December 4, 2006) Ballin!: Freekey Zekey Snags A Multi-Million Dollar Deal; Jones Celebrates A 'Dipset X-Mas' Archived 2008-10-17 at the Wayback Machine SixShot. Accessed September 21, 2008.
  19. ^ (November 2004) KOCH Records Announces New Partnership With Diplomat Records Accessed September 19, 2008.
  20. ^ Jim Jones 'Harlem: The Diary Of A Summer album Accessed September 19, 2008.
  21. ^ Thomas Golianopoulos (December 4, 2006) Jim Jones, 'Hustler's P.O.M.E. (Product of My Environment)' (Diplomat/Koch) Spin Magazine Online. Accessed September 19, 2008.
  22. ^ From Me to U Archived 2009-01-13 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 19, 2008.
  23. ^ Shaheem Reid, with additional reporting by Rahman Dukes MTV's Mixtape Monday Archived 2008-12-07 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 19, 2008.
  24. ^ (August 19, 2008) Was Cam'ron holding Juelz Santana Back? Archived 2008-09-13 at the Wayback Machine DefSounds Accessed September 20, 2008.
  25. ^ (August 1, 2008) Juelz Santana's contract Sold to Def Jam Archived 2008-09-11 at the Wayback Machine DefSounds. Accessed September 20, 2008.
  26. ^ Quinton Hatfield (August 11, 2008) 40 Cal.: The Rising Up HipHopDX. Accessed September 20, 2008.
  27. ^ Michael Ivey (May 3, 2008) Dipset Moves on JR Writer's Debut Archived 2008-10-14 at the Wayback Machine Accessed September 21, 2008.
  28. ^ XXL Staff. "Max B Freed From Obligations to Jim Jones, Vigilante Season on the Way - XXL". XXL Mag. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  29. ^ a b Searchable Database Archived June 26, 2007, at the Wayback Machine. RIAA. Accessed September 16, 2008.
  30. ^ Sanneh, Kelefa (December 29, 2005). A Rap Tale of 2 Cities and 2 Stars. The New York Times. Accessed September 16, 2008.
  31. ^ "Dipset: More Than Music, Vol. 1". Pitchfork. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
  32. ^ More Than Music, Vol. 2 by DukeDaGod Presents Dipset, 2007-05-08, retrieved 2022-04-09
  33. ^ "Stream Dipset's First Album in 14 Years, Diplomatic Ties". SPIN. 2018-11-23. Retrieved 2022-04-09.
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