1. The by far most popular group called The Diplomats (also known as Dipset) are a Harlem, New York-based group who previously signed to Roc-A-Fella Records, but now are signed to own label Diplomats Record. Founded by rappers Cam'ron and Jim Jones, the group released their debut album Diplomatic Immunity under their imprint Diplomat Records.
Diplomat Records also distribute artist Cam'ron through Asylum Records. Under Koch Entertainment, Jim Jones, Juelz Santana, 40 Cal., Freekey Zekey, J.R. Writer, Hell Rell, Un Kasa and Jha Jha are also signed on as members of The Diplomats record label. London-based duo, S.A.S, are also part of The Diplomats. Another member, Jay Bezel, is signed to Sure Shot Records. The group's sophomore album Diplomatic Immunity 2 was released under Koch Entertainment. Juelz Santana currently is the only member still signed to Diplomat Records and Def Jam Records.
One of the defining elements of the Diplomats' music is the innovative slang they have incorporated into their lyrics. The broader hip-hop community has accepted and utilized many of their terms, including "doggie,", "no homo", "piff," "huff," "u mad?", "move the movement", "off' wit' Ya' Kufi Smacker", "goonies goo goo,", "duck tales", "family matters", and "coochie rap". They also coined the greeting, "What's Really Good?". Many of the rappers were signed, and were premiered in mixtapes, but the Diplomats did not become exclusive until 2003 with their cd Diplomatic Immunity. In previous music videos when Cam'ron was starting his career you could see fellow diplomats like Jim Jones or Freeky Zeeky. The Diplomats have also gained notable street credability through their mixtapes, especially in New York, and have made a small fortune through mixtape sales. They also have their own brand of Liquor, Sizzurp.
2. The Diplomats were a mid-90's pop band from Roanoke, Virginia Heavily influenced by Big Star.
3. The Diplomats is also an avant jazz project consisting of Rob Brown (as), Steve Swell (tb) and Harris Eisenstadt (d).
4. The Diplomats were a soul group of the 1960s from Washington DC, United States, very popular in the United Kingdom during the Northern Soul boom of the 1970s. They would later become the New York-based Skull Snaps.
5. The Diplomats were a short-lived British rock band from Yorkshire, who released a self-funded single during the Mod revival of the early 1980s: 'Memories Of You' b/w 'I'll Keep On Holding On' (the latter being a cover version of the Marvelettes' original. The Diplomats were fronted by Andy Welsh, who later joined The Scene.
Gangsta
The Diplomats Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Oh, come on, fuck with your boy
It's Santana, Heatmakers, where we at?
Let me see you through this
Killa, Jones, Freakay
Yeah man, I'm back at it
Today's a new day, got the boo-lay up in the suitcase
Go uptown to Harlem, tell 'em that I sent ya
I need a couple birds, get a broad, have 'em sent up
Call my bird, get my broad have her sent up (Please)
Call my niggaz, call my squad, have 'em sent up (Please)
I see a town I'm likin'
See some niggas getting money in a town I like it
I run up on them with the pound and light it
Like it's my block now, all right kid?
He understood me quite clear
Then that thing banged out, ranged out the side of his right ear
And I got back to my business, back to my bitches
Back to the kitchen, that pyrex vision
Pop, I let that white stuff sit in
Get hard, get rock, get to the block and pitchin'
Yeah I'm sorry but this is how I'm livin
And this is how I'm getting, fuck how I get it
Hey!
[Chorus: Juelz Santana]
I stood alone watching the wall, in the zone, hand on my handles
Listening to gangsta music
I stood at home hand on a chrome, with a zone, flippin' the channels
Watching how the gangstas do it
I stood alone, getting dome, from a thick chick in sandles
Watching Shaft, clocking math
[Juelz Santana]
Now I see death around the corner
Gotta stay high, will I survive in the city where the skinny niggas die?
Nope, it's the city where the skinny niggas ride
.45 semi on the side, twisting when they drive, yeah
Lick a shot for Big Pop and 'Pac, yeah
One more for Shyne locked inside, yeah
Two more for Cam, for taking over the Roc
Yeah, yeah, it's my year
So, okay, okay, okay, why'all can't fuck with me, no way
Jose or Hector Camacho
Tech blows and watch yo' chest close and tacos
Motherfucker I'm the best, I told why'all before
I should why'all before, ey!
[Chorus: Juelz Santana]
I stood alone watching the wall, in the zone, hand on my handles
Listening to gangsta music
I stood at home hand on a chrome, with a zone, flippin' the channels
Watching how the gangstas do it
I stood alone, getting dome, from a thick chick in sandles
Watching Shaft, clocking math
[Cam'Ron]
I'm on the westside of Chicago, lookin' for a bust down
And make me put my two arms up, Touchdown!
You stay in touch now, but when I tough down
I'm like Buckshot shorty, you better "Duck Down"
Yeah I must clown, I'm from Harlem, Uptown
Where we flash money, take your bitch and ask you, what now?
Birds flip a dozen, chicks is dicks they suckin'
Swallow my kids, go and kiss they cousin
Yes, they kissing cousins, toys kissing muppets
Worst then that, they go home and kiss they husband
That shit's disgusting
Keep the chickens clucking, keep the pigeons buggin'
This on my wrist is nothing
To me it's just yellow hearts and pink diamonds
Where I get the money for this? Don't think rhymin'
You fucking with Pablo, Bravo, Mario Via Bolo ho, Ta-to
[Chorus: Juelz Santana]
I stood alone watching the wall, in the zone, hand on my handles
Listening to gangsta music
I stood at home hand on a chrome, with a zone, flippin' the channels
Watching how the gangstas do it
I stood alone, getting dome, from a thick chick in sandles
Watching Shaft, clocking math
The Diplomats' song "Gangsta" is a hard-hitting rap that captures the gritty reality of life on the streets. The opening verse by Juelz Santana paints a picture of a day in the life of a gangsta, as he travels from uptown to Harlem, looking to make moves and make money. He talks about getting a couple of birds (slang for drugs), a broad (a woman), and his squad sent up to him. The chorus features Juelz Santana standing alone, listening to gangsta music, while he watches the world go by. The second verse by Cam'ron takes a turn towards Chicago while he looks for someone to rob, displaying the sense of danger and violence that surrounds the gangster lifestyle. The song ends with Juelz Santana describing how he is living dangerously, selling drugs and making money on the streets.
The lyrics of this song showcase the challenges that come with living a gangster lifestyle while embracing the stereotype of gangster rap. The chorus repeated throughout the song portrays the singer's detachment from the inner city, which reveals a lack of empathy and compassion for others. The song has surfaced controversies surrounding violence and misogyny from some critics.
Line by Line Meaning
Oh, come on, fuck with your boy
Juelz Santana is inviting the listener to engage with him and his music.
Today's a new day, got the boo-lay up in the suitcase
Juelz Santana is ready for new opportunities and has brought his merchandise with him.
Go uptown to Harlem, tell 'em that I sent ya
Juelz Santana is sending a message to his hometown that he is back and ready to make moves.
I need a couple birds, get a broad, have 'em sent up
Juelz Santana needs some drugs and a woman delivered to him.
See some niggas getting money in a town I like it
Juelz Santana is admiring the success of others in a particular area.
Then that thing banged out, ranged out the side of his right ear
Juelz Santana shot someone and hit them in the ear.
Pop, I let that white stuff sit in
Juelz Santana is cooking and preparing drugs to sell on the streets.
Yeah I'm sorry but this is how I'm livin
Juelz Santana acknowledges that his lifestyle involves criminal activity, but he is unapologetic about it.
Now I see death around the corner
Juelz Santana is aware of the dangers of living a gangster lifestyle.
One more for Shyne locked inside, yeah
Juelz Santana is giving a shoutout to rapper Shyne who is currently serving a prison sentence.
I'm on the westside of Chicago, lookin' for a bust down
Cam'Ron is in Chicago and is searching for a woman for sexual favors.
Swallow my kids, go and kiss they cousin
Cam'Ron is boasting about having sexual encounters with multiple women and their family members.
Where I get the money for this? Don't think rhymin'
Cam'Ron is implying that he obtained his wealth through illegal and possibly violent means.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: LARON L. JAMES, RALPH CHEUVERET
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind