Diplomatic Immunity is the debut studio album by American hip hop group The Diplomats, released via The Island Def Jam Music Group, Jay-Z's Roc-A-Fella Records, and Cam'ron's Diplomat Records.
The album debuted at number 8 on the Billboard 200 and topped the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 92,000 copies in its first week in the United States. 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.
Contents
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, 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, Hell Rell (who was not a member of The Diplomats that time), 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 and Roc-A-Fella. In 2004, The Diplomats signed to Koch Records for distribution, though the group stayed on Diplomat Records.
Cam'ron described the album as "9/11 music", 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.
Track listing
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.