Diplomatic Immunity, Vol. 2 [PA]

Performer: The Diplomats
Engineer: Eric 'Ibo' Butler; Mike T
Producer: The Treblemakers; Amadeus; Boola; Victor Babb; The Heatmakerz; Develop; The Treblemakers; Amadeus; Genghis; Boola
Distributor: E1 Distribution (USA)

Notes: The Diplomats: 40 Cal., Milk, Jim Jones , Cam'ron, JR Writer, Hell Rell, Jha Jha, Juelz Santana, DukeDaGod. Additional personnel: Unkasa. Audio Mixers: Eric "Ebo" Butler; Mike T. Recording information: Next Millenium; Santana's World; Sony Music Studios, New York, NY. Unknown Contributor Roles: JR Writer; Hell Rell; Jha Jha; Juelz Santana. 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 The Diplomats debuted in 2003 with DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY, an enjoyable, if uneven, double-record introduction to Cam'Ron's diverse collection of rappers, whose ranks include the imperial Juelz Santana and the growling, sinister-as-his-name Jim Jones. With their second release, DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY 2, the Diplomats drop the double-album format, making for a tight, concise set, as the talented MCs pass the mic like the baton of a veteran track team, flowing over consistently inventive, ear-opening beats. Cam'Ron starts the festivities, presenting the members one by one, before launching into the dizzying, pounding "Stop-N-Go" with J.R. Writer. Juelz Santana follows with the rolling "S.A.N.T.A.N.A.," and sticks around for "Take 'Em to Church," with Cam'Ron and Unkasa, before joining J.R. on the frenetic "Get Use to This." Throughout it all, the record seems like one continual celebration of the Diplomats' world, as the songs seamlessly flow into one another, at once chaotic and melodious. DIPLOMATIC IMMUNITY 2 showcases the best aspects of the superstar collective album, as the various personalities bounce off each other--not perfectly, but unpredictably--for an overall thrilling ride.

Vibe (p.84) - 3 1/2 discs out of 5 - "[H]ip-hop's most colorful crew....Beautiful belligerence from Cam'Ron, Juelz Santana, J.R.Writer, and Jim Jones dominates throughout..."

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