Today in Hip Hop History: The Diplomats Released Their Debut Album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ 21 Years Ago

Dipset

On this date in 2003, Cam’ron’s crew from Harlem, The Diplomats, dropped their debut album Diplomatic Immunity on the Roc A Fella Records/Def Jam imprint during the pivotal time when Dame Dash appointed Cam’ron as the President of Roc-A-Fella Records.

Coming on the heels of the release of Cam’s Come Home With Me LP, Diplomatic Immunity introduced the entire Dipset squad, including Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Freekey Zeekey, Un Kasa, and Hell Rell. With production from the likes of Heatmakerz, DR Period, and a then virtually unknown Kanye West, the trailblazing sound of old soul samples pushed Dipset to the forefront of the creative curve of Hip Hop, which offered the Blood-affiliated crew from Uptown an almost cult-like following. Rell was incarcerated by the time the album was available for purchase.

The album was saturated with longstanding hits such as “I Really Mean It,” the infectious “Dipset Anthem,” the female-friendly “Hey Ma,” and the Master P assisted “Bout It Bout It…Part I “. Commercially, the album was considered average, debuting at #8 on the Billboard 200 and selling 92,000 copies in its first week, but the album was certified Gold by the RIAA in 2005.

Salute to Cam, Juelz, Jim Jones, Freekey, and Hell Rell for this classic piece of Hip Hop history!

The post Today in Hip Hop History: The Diplomats Released Their Debut Album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ 21 Years Ago first appeared on The Source.

The post Today in Hip Hop History: The Diplomats Released Their Debut Album ‘Diplomatic Immunity’ 21 Years Ago appeared first on The Source.

Jim Jones & Juelz Santana Question Steph & Klay’s “Splash Brothers” Title

Steph Curry and Klay Thompson, arguably one of the greatest shooting duos in NBA history, are better known by their moniker: the Splash Brothers. However, apparently this claim is nothing new, according to some OG New York MCs. Moreover, Jim Jones and Juelz Santana took to social media on Thursday (December 21) to claim that they called themselves the Splash Bros long before either basketball player was in the Golden State Warriors. It’s unclear exactly what prompted this complaint after ten years under the title– at least, for Steph and Klay. It’s also different types of “splashing” here: the Dipset duo has the drip, and the four-time champions make it rain from 3 on the boards.

“The original Splash Bros,” Jim Jones exclaimed. “I don’t know what Steph and Klay was talking about, but we been splashing before they been balling. We got the receipts to show it. Right now, we trying to figure out who decides war. Stop playing with us. This ain’t fashion, this is splashing. Pardon the drip.” “Dipset, us,” Juelz Santana added in the video below. “You see me in the middle of Harlem.”

Read More: Jim Jones Gives Drake His Flowers While Choosing The “Best Album Of The Year”

Jim Jones & Juelz Santana Call Out Steph Curry & Klay Thompson: Watch

Regardless of this, don’t think for a second that the likes of Steph Curry and Klay Thompson aren’t welcome in hip-hop. Never mind the endless lyrical references. The former in particular is even contributing to preserving an indelible cultural legacy in the game. His company Unanimous Media is producing an upcoming documentary on Mac Dre. It will chronicle the massive stamp he left behind on the Bay Area and West Coast hip-hop as a whole. It’s just one of many ways in which he’s been able to make a connection beyond pure association.

“Mac Dre is a cultural icon who made a tremendous impact on the Bay Area and beyond through his music and pioneering creativity,” Curry stated. “We’re honored to work with Mac Dre’s incredible mother, Wanda, to tell her son’s life story with respect and dignity for fans, the Bay Area community, and music lovers alike.” We’ll see how the Splash Brothers continue their dynamic– no matter which one you’re talking about. For more on Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, Steph Curry, and Klay Thompson, log back into HNHH.

Read More: Steph Curry Trolls Ex-Teammate-Turned-Sideline Reporter

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EXCLUSIVE: Juelz Santana’s Album Is Officially Dropping In January

Juelz Santana’s Album Is Officially Dropping In January

Hip-Hop was left in a frenzy when Juelz Santana was released from jail back in 2020. Since then, fans of The Diplomats have been asking one question: when are we getting new music?!

Most recently, Cam’ron and Ma$e stopped by the Million Dollaz Worth of Game podcast to discuss how Juelz Santana is not reaching his full potential as a rapper. Ma$e even makes a bold statement that the “There it Go” rapper could have been on par with Jay Z’s GOATness, stating he “could’ve been Hov level.”

Cam’ron agreed: “Real talk, he had it. And he had it at a young age. He could’ve been the leader of everything that’s going outside right now. He could’ve been all these young ni**as’ father, uncle, whatever you wanna call it. The chicks liked him, he could rap, he was fly. He had every element you needed to be that ni**a.”

They then go into why exactly Juelz isn’t reaching his full potential.

“To me, Juelz, I wouldn’t say [had] poor work ethic, but I’m not sure why,” Cam’ron continues. “Juelz is sitting there with 300 songs in his hard drive, and won’t put it out.”

The Source had the pleasure of catching up with Juelz Santana at the B.B. Simon booth at Complexcon, asking when exactly we can expect new music.

Juelz Santana states, “January, my album is dropping officially. I promise you, January.”

The post EXCLUSIVE: Juelz Santana’s Album Is Officially Dropping In January first appeared on The Source.

The post EXCLUSIVE: Juelz Santana’s Album Is Officially Dropping In January appeared first on The Source.

Juelz Santana Net Worth 2023: What Is The Dipset Rapper Worth?

In the bustling urban landscape of Harlem, New York, LaRon Louis James, better known by his stage name Juelz Santana, found his calling. Born on February 18, 1982, Santana’s foray into music started early. By age 12, he had already formed the duo Draft Pick, catching the eye of influential figures in the hip-hop community. Juelz’s fiery lyrics and unmistakable swagger were destined to leave a mark on the music scene. His journey from these early days to the iconic status he would later attain set the stage for a net worth of $1 million in 2023, according to Fresherslive.

A Diplomatic Rise: Career Highlights & Accolades

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Kanye West, Kevin Liles of Def Jam and Juelz Santana (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

Juelz Santana’s breakthrough came as a member of the East Coast hip-hop group The Diplomats, known to fans as Dipset. His debut album, From Me to U, showcased his lyrical prowess and marked him as a rapper to watch. But his sophomore effort, What the Game’s Been Missing!, solidified his reputation. With tracks like “There It Go (The Whistle Song)” and “Oh Yes,” Santana captured the zeitgeist of hip-hop in the mid-2000s.

Yet, Santana’s career has not been without its turbulence. Legal troubles and label disputes occasionally overshadowed his musical output. Despite these challenges, his influence and style have remained imprinted on the fabric of hip-hop.

Life Beyond The Lyrics

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Jim Jones and Juelz Santana ** EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE ** (Photo by Marc Andrew Deley/FilmMagic)

Santana’s personal life has been as vibrant and complex as his music. Known for his flashy lifestyle and charismatic public appearances, he has often been a fixture in celebrity gossip columns. Relationships, fatherhood, and encounters with the legal system have painted a picture of a man navigating the trappings of fame. Behind the scenes, Santana’s story is one of resilience, adaptation, and continual striving.

Beats, Business, & Giving Back

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 08: Jim Jones, DJ Drama and Juelz Santana attend DJ DRAMA Content Piece For New Album “I’m Really Like That” on February 8, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

While music remains at the core of Santana’s identity, his business interests have extended into fashion and film. Partnerships and endorsements have allowed him to diversify his portfolio. Although not always highly publicized, Philanthropy has been part of his approach to community engagement. Santana’s desire to give back resonates with his roots and reflects an awareness of the power and responsibility that comes with fame.

Conclusion

Santana’s net worth, standing at $1 million in 2023, may seem modest by some celebrity standards. But the figure cannot encapsulate the cultural richness of his career or the lives he has touched through his artistry. In Juelz Santana’s story, we find the echoes of Harlem’s vibrancy, the pulse of hip-hop culture, and the portrait of an artist who defies conventions.

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Juelz Santana Says He’s Not A Fan Of Kobe Bryant

Juelz Santana is a rapper with almost three decades of experience under his belt. That means he’s seen a lot of NBA basketball go down over the years. Entire generations of basketball greats, with front-row seats to some of the hottest names in the sport. And through all of that, Juelz has one thing to say: He wasn’t a fan of Kobe Bryant. As shocking as that claim might be, it makes way more sense when Juelz Santana provides context to the statement.

Despite the lack of love coming from Juelz, he says that the LA Laker legend “demanded my respect.” “You couldn’t hate on him. No matter what,” Juelz said in a brief conversation with sportswriter Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson. The NBA Insider at Bally Sports Network also relayed that Juelz was a big Michael Jordan fan back when he was dominating the league. Santana further explains that people treated MJ like how he treated Kobe. They were both guys people didn’t like, but those people couldn’t say anything bad about them due to their greatness.

Read more: Young Thug, Juelz Santana, French Montana, And Other Rappers Referenced In YNW Melly Murder Trial

Why Juelz Santana Didn’t Like Kobe Bryant

Juelz Santana was not a huge Kobe Bryant fan because everybody at the time was claiming that Kobe was better than MJ. Being the big supporter of Jordan that he was, this common belief did not sit well. “[Everybody] always said he was better than Jordan,” said Santana, via Robinson, “so that was my whole dilemma with not being a Kobe fan.” Again, he did not knock the sheer impressiveness of the Black Mamba in his heyday. He doesn’t have a bad thing to say about Kobe, he just has to defend his day one guy, the guy who Kobe looked up to all his life.

Other than the miscellaneous pop culture drama, Juelz Santana is currently working on his latest album, We In Motion. The album reportedly has numerous collaborations, and he teased the tracklist a few months ago. However, he’s been teasing this album for about half a year, with delays crushing the excitement. His interview with Scoop B might help raise the buzz once more, especially with hot takes like not being a Kobe fan.

Read more: Juelz Santana Denies Cheating On Kimbella, Admits To Infidelity In The Past

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Young Thug, Juelz Santana, French Montana, And Other Rappers Referenced In YNW Melly Murder Trial

It’s been another busy day as updates continue to flow in from the YNW Melly double murder trial. Law & Crime reporter Bryson “Boom” Paul previously confirmed that one of the prosecution’s witnesses, Detective Danny Polo, will be removing the court-sanctioned ski mask he wore during last week’s testimony to protect his identity. Since taking off the face covering, the undercover officer has name-dropped several noteworthy rappers, including Juelz Santana and French Montana.

In one of Paul’s tweets, he shared that Polo stated that Santana is “a blood gang member.” At the time, the detective was reading a requested text message from a GBK gang member. He’s known as “Goon,” and he was reaching out to Melly’s shared phone with one of his alleged victims. Elsewhere in the same text, French Montana’s name is mentioned. However, Danny made it clear in today’s testimony that he’s unsure if the “Unforgettable” artist is gang-affiliated or not.

Read More: YNW Melly Update: Undercover Detective Will Remove Ski Mask For Testimony, Judge Rules

Detective Danny Polo’s Testimony Mentions Several Rappers During YNW Melly Trial

In another tweet approximately 30 minutes later, Paul referenced other messages sent to Melly and the late YNW SakChaser’s joint phone. Goon and an affiliate named Hurk were contacting the two young men, name-dropping other known rappers like Young Thug, Boosie Badazz, Quando Rondo, and JGreen in their texts. Interestingly, nearly every name on the list has been involved in legal trouble of their own lately, from the 40-year-old’s federal arrest earlier this month to Quando’s alleged affiliation with the Rollin’ 60s being outed during his arrest.

Speaking of Young Thug, the YSL rapper remains behind bars amid his RICO trial. Still, he managed to drop an impressive album in the form of BUSINESS IS BUSINESS this past Friday (June 23). Based on today’s first week sales projections, it’s expected to chart at No. 1 – if it can beat out the latest project from country star Morgan Wallen. Read more about that at the link below, and check back later for more hip-hop/pop culture news updates.

Read More: “BUSINESS IS BUSINESS” First Week Sales Projections: Young Thug Up Against Morgan Wallen For No. 1

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Juelz Santana Shuts Down Rumors of Cheating on Kimbella: ‘I Don’t/Won’t Cheat On My Wife’

Juelz Santan & Kimbella

Juelz Santana wants fans to leave the relationship between him and his wife at peace. The rapper hit Instagram stories to speak against rumors flying that he is cheating on his wife Kimbella.

“I pride myself on being faithful cuz there was a time I wasn’t I don’t/won’t cheat on my wife. Dats how I knew I was ready to get married. Cuz I knew I was ready to fully commit to my wife so no matter were we stand @ the moment as long as we married I would/will never brake my vows I’m hers!!! That’s fact. No B??H will ever get to hold that over her. Sign, Juelz Santana … 4 any1 wondering or trying 2 be slick.”

The post Juelz Santana Shuts Down Rumors of Cheating on Kimbella: ‘I Don’t/Won’t Cheat On My Wife’ appeared first on The Source.

Juelz Santana Denies Cheating On Kimbella, Admits To Infidelity In The Past

Juelz Santana has previously admitted to cheating on his wife, Kimbella, before they were married. Now that he’s got a ring on his finger, the New Yorker prides himself in being an honest man. It appears he’s facing infidelity accusations again. The rapper certainly didn’t hesitate to address during a rant on his Instagram Story on Thursday (April 27) afternoon. “I pride myself on being faithful ‘cuz there was a time I wasn’t,” he began, earning plenty of laughs from social media users over the sheer honesty of his confession. “I don’t/won’t cheat on my wife,” Santana further declared.

“[That’s] how I knew I was ready to get married, ‘cuz I knew I was ready to fully commit to my wife,” the rap legend added. As Complex notes, Santana and Kimbella have been together, on and off, since 2009. They have three children together but didn’t get married until 2019. This is apparently when the Dipset member was ready to cut ties with his side tings and settle down. “No matter [where] we stand at the moment, as long as we married, I would/will never break my vows,” Santana went on to say.

Juelz Santana Addresses Cheating Rumours

@thejuelzsantana/Instagram Story

The 41-year-old made it abundantly clear that he’s essentially Kimbella’s property. In addition, he said, “No b*tch will ever get to hold that over her,” before “signing” his name in IG’s cursive font. At the bottom of his post, Santana dedicated the message to “[anyone] WONDERING or trying to be slick 🤷🏽‍♂️💯.” It remains unclear exactly who’s been causing trouble within the couple’s crumbling marriage. Still, the “Oh Yes” rapper is obviously doing his part to stay on top of the situation.

Elsewhere, the East Coast artist has been drumming up plenty of excitement for his upcoming project, We In Motion. A tracklist was unveiled earlier this week, and back in March, we heard JS tease a fire collaboration with 21 Savage that fans can’t wait to download on streaming platforms. What are your thoughts on Juelz Santana and Kimbella’s relationship? Let us know in the comments, and check back later for more pop culture news updates.

[Via]

Jim Jones Sparks Controversy After Voicing His Opinion On Grown Men & Cartoons

Jim Jones

Jim Jones received backlash on Twitter after suggesting that adults, especially men, should not watch anime or cartoons. His comment was met with disagreement from many users on social media, calling him out for being “lame” or an “old head.” In an interview with Complex, Harlem rapper Jim Jones gave his opinion on adults watching […]

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