There are (or have been) at least five artists called The Diplomats.
Read Full Bio ↴There are (or have been) at least five artists called The Diplomats.

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.

More Then Music
The Diplomats Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Yo, I try to be easy
I try to be calm breathe easy, it don't seem easy
I'm on my Ps and Qs, Ys and Zs, .45 on the side of me
Plus, four guys on the side of me, with .45 on the side of them

We can play now, this is a war not a playground
We came here to lay or get laid down, spray or get sprayed down
Wills for us any day now, cops with their wall to wall raids down

I'm ducking and weaving, running and leaving

Not trying to feel the cuffs when they squeezing
Or the plunger they stuck to Lumina
So I'm stuck with this Nina, I'm stuck with this finger
Itchy as fuck, you're fucked if I leave ya chump

Went to school, but ain't stay in class, hated class
Only for period, yep, I could relate to math
Played games, but the games was bad
You know, cops and robbers, laser tag, see what I was aiming at

Hop scotching on niggaz faces kept my ankles bad
That ain't stop me from working I got me a worker
Gotta him to work and yeah, chopping the work up
Keep him on my clock, clocking my work up, niggaz know me

Taught him how to cook, livin' his work up
Told him it's not the pot, it's the worker, gotta mix shorty
Gotta do it like this shorty
Clockwise, counter-clockwise, it's all in the wrist shorty
Fuck with me

This is a movement, this is a union
This is more then what you people call music
I'm part of this Dip Set confusing
Tecs we moving, catch up, y'all losing

Y'all ain't big enough to be at the table, nope
Y'all ain't big enough to eat at the table, nope
This is powerful music that I bring to the table
The sequel of Able, fuck with your boy

You motherfuckers really don't know
You motherfuckers really wont know
I'm real fucka, I really wont fold
I kill fuckas and wheelie off roads

Bangie rapper, like I'm really off road
The pain I feel, I really wont show man
The game is real, I really don't know Cam
If I'ma make it or not

But my plan was to take it straight to the top
Bring my fame to the block, with me
Harlem's my home, so I'm making it hot with me
Till the day I'm laid on the block, with shots in me

Stay weeded, stay cheffing a blunt
Stay losing some more pounds, I ain't eating enough, nope
Stop fronting homes, you wont do nothing homes
Killa locked this, I'm what's up and coming homes

You better believe, one thing I was always taught
In my household you better achieve
No matter what you do, you better succeed
That was embedded in me, yeah, the rest was left up to me

So I, played my position, I stayed in the kitchen
Base tripping on the bottom of the plate when I'm mixing
Cake whipping on the bottom of the plate when I left it
Eight digits when I take it, break it and flip it

This is the Matrix, I take it we live in
Shit, I'm seeing the sun, I'm Neo the one, believe me
Hand picked like cotton, I've been sent here not to be forgotten
My hands grip the dots in, I get ya poppin'

Shoot shit, shit is poppin'
Move bricks get it rocking, y'all know me
Ya young homie from the block, y'all forgot me already?
Holla back, the young Rocky is ready whoa!

This is a movement, this is a union
This is more then what you people call music
I'm part of this Dip Set confusing
Tecs we moving, catch up, y'all losing

Y'all ain't big enough to be at the table, nope
Y'all ain't big enough to eat at the table, nope

This is powerful music that I bring to the table
The sequel of Able, fuck with your boy

Overall Meaning

The song "More Than Music" by The Diplomats is a representation of gangster rap that speaks of the struggles and boastful lifestyles of members of the hip hop group. The first two verses of the song are from the perspective of a rapper who is trying to maintain his composure in the face of danger. The rapper talks about his life and the risks he takes to pursue his passion. He also describes the harsh realities of the impoverished conditions of Harlem, his home.

The third verse of the song is about the rapper's commitment to growth and success. He mentions his hard work in the kitchen and in the music studio. He points out the need to have focus and a clear head to achieve your goals. The main message of the song is that hip hop, in the context of The Diplomats, is more than just music. It's a whole lifestyle that includes camaraderie, solidarity, and loyalty.

Overall, the lyrics speak about the struggles that they face living in Harlem, where drugs, violence, and poverty were rampant, and the way they rise above it through music. As they strive towards success, they have to deal with threats from rival crews and law enforcement which gives them a sense of paranoia and urgency in their lyrics.

Line by Line Meaning

Yo, I try to be easy
I attempt to remain calm and relaxed

I try to be calm breathe easy, it don't seem easy
Staying calm and relaxed is challenging

I'm on my Ps and Qs, Ys and Zs, .45 on the side of me
I am cautious and alert, carrying a firearm for protection

Plus, four guys on the side of me, with .45 on the side of them
I have a group of four individuals with me, also carrying firearms

We can play now, this is a war not a playground
This situation is serious and dangerous, not a game

We came here to lay or get laid down, spray or get sprayed down
We either succeed or die trying, willing to fight and kill

Wills for us any day now, cops with their wall to wall raids down
We may die anytime or get arrested by law enforcement

I'm ducking and weaving, running and leaving
I am avoiding danger by moving quickly and strategically

Not trying to feel the cuffs when they squeezing
I do not want to be arrested and handcuffed

Or the plunger they stuck to Lumina
I want to avoid being subject to police brutality

So I'm stuck with this Nina, I'm stuck with this finger
I am forced to carry a firearm and may have to use it to survive

Itchy as fuck, you're fucked if I leave ya chump
I am ready to kill and will not hesitate to do so if necessary

Went to school, but ain't stay in class, hated class
I attended school but disliked it and did not complete it

Only for period, yep, I could relate to math
I only enjoyed math class

Played games, but the games was bad
I engaged in activities that were ultimately harmful

You know, cops and robbers, laser tag, see what I was aiming at
I played children's games that involved violence and shooting

Hop scotching on niggaz faces kept my ankles bad
I engaged in risky and harmful behavior that affected my health

That ain't stop me from working I got me a worker
I still managed to find employment despite my risky behavior

Gotta him to work and yeah, chopping the work up
I hired someone to help me sell drugs and split the profits

Keep him on my clock, clocking my work up, niggaz know me
I manage my drug dealing business closely and people are aware of me

Taught him how to cook, livin' his work up
I taught my worker how to make drugs and improve his sales

Told him it's not the pot, it's the worker, gotta mix shorty
I explained that the quality of the drugs sold depends on the skills of the worker

Gotta do it like this shorty
I am giving instructions on how to sell drugs successfully

Clockwise, counter-clockwise, it's all in the wrist shorty
I explain the technique to mix and sell drugs effectively

Fuck with me
I am confident in my drug dealing abilities

This is a movement, this is a union
We are working together to achieve a common goal

This is more then what you people call music
Our song has a deeper meaning and message

I'm part of this Dip Set confusing
I am a member of Dipset, a group that may confuse or intimidate others

Tecs we moving, catch up, y'all losing
We are taking action and making progress, while others are falling behind

Y'all ain't big enough to be at the table, nope
Others do not have the qualifications or status to be part of our group

Y'all ain't big enough to eat at the table, nope
Others are not important or influential enough to share our successes

This is powerful music that I bring to the table
Our music has a significant impact and value

The sequel of Able, fuck with your boy
Our music is a continuation of our previous successes, support us

You motherfuckers really don't know
Others do not understand or underestimate us

You motherfuckers really wont know
Others will never understand us or our situation

I'm real fucka, I really wont fold
I am authentic and will not compromise my values or actions

I kill fuckas and wheelie off roads
I am capable of murder and enjoy the thrill of reckless driving

Bangie rapper, like I'm really off road
My music style and image is aggressive and intense

The pain I feel, I really wont show man
I hide my emotions and do not express vulnerability

The game is real, I really don't know Cam
The situation I am in is serious and uncertain

If I'ma make it or not
I am unsure if I will succeed or survive

But my plan was to take it straight to the top
My goal was to achieve success and status

Bring my fame to the block, with me
I want to share my success with my community

Harlem's my home, so I'm making it hot with me
I am representing my hometown and taking it to the next level

Till the day I'm laid on the block, with shots in me
I will continue my pursuit of success until I die

Stay weeded, stay cheffing a blunt
I cope with stress by smoking marijuana

Stay losing some more pounds, I ain't eating enough, nope
I am losing weight due to poor diet habits and lack of appetite

Stop fronting homes, you wont do nothing homes
Stop pretending to be tough, you will not take any action

Killa locked this, I'm what's up and coming homes
I am a rising star and will continue to gain recognition

You better believe, one thing I was always taught
I was taught to believe in myself and my abilities

In my household you better achieve
My family values success and achievement

No matter what you do, you better succeed
Success is the only acceptable outcome

That was embedded in me, yeah, the rest was left up to me
The importance of success was instilled in me, but I must take responsibility for achieving it

So I played my position, I stayed in the kitchen
I focused on my role and responsibilities

Base tripping on the bottom of the plate when I'm mixing
I am making drugs and being careful not to waste any product

Cake whipping on the bottom of the plate when I left it
I have finished making drugs and am preparing them for sale

Eight digits when I take it, break it and flip it
I make a significant amount of money by selling drugs

This is the Matrix, I take it we live in
Our reality may not be as it seems

Shit, I'm seeing the sun, I'm Neo the one, believe me
I am experiencing life in a new way, like the singer Neo in the movie The Matrix

Hand picked like cotton, I've been sent here not to be forgotten
I have a unique purpose and ability and will make my mark on the world

My hands grip the dots in, I get ya poppin'
I have control over my profession and can make things happen for others

Shoot shit, shit is poppin'
I am successful and things are going well

Move bricks get it rocking, y'all know me
I am successful in the drug business and people recognize me

Ya young homie from the block, y'all forgot me already?
People may overlook my past struggles and underestimate my current success

Holla back, the young Rocky is ready whoa!
I am prepared and ready to take on any challenge