Legendary Harlem collective The Diplomats (aka Dipset) have left an indelible mark on Hip-Hop. With their influence reaching coast-to-coast and globally, the crew led by Killa Cam and composed of Juelz Santana, Jim Jones, Freekey Zekey, and several other uptown associates is considered one of the most imitated in the game. From how they spit to the drip, many a rapper, athlete and influencer will cite the crew as one of the most important when it comes to setting the trends.
As with most groups, however, there was a period of discord, with Cam’ron recently discussing Jones’ decision to perform with 50 Cent — Cam’s then-rival — during their rift. Jones didn’t take kindly to being discussed, telling both Cam and 50 to “get off my d**k,” disrupting a decade’s worth of goodwill between them, as the team reconciled many times over the years. Jones’ recent statement aimed at Cam’s It Is What It Is co-host Mase also didn’t help matters.
While Cam and Jones may be going through a rough patch, we’re choosing to highlight the good ol’ days. Of course, only they know how things were unfolding behind the scenes — or in this case, photos — but we just can’t help but reminisce on the Dipset we all locked in with over twenty years ago.
From early Cam shots to the crew going head-to-head with The LOX, check out snaps of The Diplomats over the years below.
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Cam’ron On The Jenny Jones Show
Image Credit: (Photo By Raymond Boyd/Getty Images) Rapper Cam’ron (Cameron Ezike Giles) poses for photos after rehearsals for his performance on ‘The Jenny Jones Show’ in Chicago, Illinois in August 1998.
1998 MTV’s Rock n’ Jock Basketball
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic) Nicholas Brendan, Cam’ron and Method Man.
Roc-A-Fella Records
Image Credit: (Photo by Gregory Bojorquez/Getty Images) Members of Roc-A-Fella Records in June, 2002 in Fort Lee, New Jersey.
The 8th Annual Soul Train “Lady Of Soul” Awards – Arrivals
Image Credit: (Photo by Gregg DeGuire/WireImage) Cam’ron & Juelz Santana during The 8th Annual Soul Train “Lady Of Soul” Awards.
‘City By The Sea’ Premiere
Image Credit: (Photo by Matthew Peyton/Getty Images) Cam’ron and Juelz Santana arrives at the premiere of “City by the Sea” on August 26, 2002 in New York City, New York.
‘City By The Sea’ Premiere – New York
Image Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) Juelz Santana, Cam’ron, and Jim Jones during ‘City By The Sea’ Premiere – New York at Union Square Theatre in New York City, New York, United States.
2002 MTV Fashionably Loud – Backstage
Image Credit: Photo by Frank Micelotta/ImageDirect. 2002 MTV Fashionably Loud show at Roseland Ballroom in New York City, Wednesday, October 30, 2002.
Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2003 Collections – Baby Phat – Backstage
Image Credit: Djamilla Rosa Cochran/WireImage) Eve, Cam’ron and Trina during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2003.
The Diplomats Album Release Party
Image Credit: (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) The Diplomats pose for a photo during the Cam’ron & The Diplomats album release party for “Diplomatic Immunity” at Sessa on March 25, 2003 in New York, New York.
The Diplomats Album Release Party
Image Credit: (Photo by Scott Gries/Getty Images) The Diplomats pose for a photo during the Cam’ron & The Diplomats album release party for “Diplomatic Immunity” at Sessa on March 25, 2003 in New York, New York.
Cam’ron and The Diplomats Stop by MTV2 Hip Hop
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage) Camron And The Diplomats Appear On MTV2
Image Credit: Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage Bone Crusher Remix Video Shoot
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones, Busta Rhymes, Bone Crusher, Camron and Juelz Santana.
Bone Crusher Remix Video Shoot
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones, Bone Crusher and Juelz Santana.
Bone Crusher Remix Video Shoot
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage Juelz Santana, Jermaine Dupri and Jim Jones.
New Era Caps Celebrity Design Session Featuring Dip Set
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’Ron and Jim Jones of Dipset during New Era Caps Celebrity Design Session Featuring Dipset at Def Jam Offices in New York City, New York, United States.
2002 MTV Video Music Awards – Backstage and Audience
Image Credit: Photo by Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images) Cam’ron and Juelz Santana during 2002 MTV Video Music Awards – Backstage.
Jadakiss Concert At Icon
Image Credit: Julia Beverly/Getty Images) Rappers Cam’ron (Cameron Giles) and Juelz Santana (LaRon James) of Dipset at Icon Nightclub in Orlando, Florida on June 3, 2004.
Celebrities Party at Cherry Lounge
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron, Chingy, Juelz Santana, and DJ Clue during Celebrities Party at Cherry Lounge at Cherry Lounge in New York City, New York, United States.
Celebrities Party at Cherry Lounge
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage Cuddy, Cam’ron, Swizz Beatz, Chingy, Juelz Santana, Kim Rosario, Ms. Info
Juelz Santana, Cam’ron
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Juelz Santana, Cam’Ron and video models during Diplomat’s “Santana” Video Shoot – October 23, 2004 at Capitale in New York City, New York, United States.
Dipset Shoots Video for “Crunk”
Image Credit: Shareif Ziyadat/FilmMagic) Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Cam’ron during Dipset Shoots New Video for “Crunk” at Marcus Zager Park in New York City, New York, United States.
Cam’ron in Concert with Special Guests Dipset and Kanye West – January 4, 2005
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Kanye West and Cam’ron during Camron in Concert with Special Guests Dipset and Kanye West – January 4, 2005 at Speed in New York City, New York.
Cam’ron in Concert with Special Guests Dipset and Kanye West – January 4, 2005
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones and Cam’ron
Camron in Concert with Special Guests Dipset and Kanye West – January 4, 2005
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Juelz Santana during Camron in Concert with Special Guests Dipset and Kanye West – January 4, 2005 at Speed in New York City, New York, United States.
Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 – Baby Phat – After Party
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Steph Luva and Andre Harrell.
Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons Fall/Winter 2005 Fashion Show After-Party
Image Credit: Chance Yeh /Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Mariah Carey and Cam’Ron attend Baby Phat by Kimora Lee Simmons Fall/Winter 2005 Fashion Show After-Party at Aer on February 5, 2005 in New York City.
Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 – Baby Phat – After Party
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones, Cam’ron, Nicole Wray, LisaRaye McCoy and Da Brat.
Olympus Fashion Week Fall 2005 – Baby Phat – After Party
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron, Jim Jones, Bizzy Bone, Steph Luva, Guest and Ray J.
Cam’ron’s Birthday Party
Image Credit: (Photo by Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) Juelz Santana and Cam’ron pose for photos at his birthday party at Rhone February 07, 2005 in New York.
Juelz Santana Video for Mic Check
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron and Jim Jones during Juelz Santana Video for Mic Check.
Juelz Santana Video for “Mic Check”
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron and Jim Jones during Juelz Santana Video for Mic Check.
Cam’ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Featuring Kanye West
Image Credit: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images) Cam’Ron performs at Cam’Ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Shoot.
Cam’ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Featuring Kanye West
Image Credit: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images Juelz Santana poses at Cam’Ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Shoot.
Cam’ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Featuring Kanye West
Image Credit: Ray Tamarra/Getty Images Jim Jones, his son Jomo Jones and Big Joe Sherman pose at Cam’Ron’s ‘Down And Out’ Video Shoot in Manhattan April 21, 2005.
Dipset Hosts Jab’s Ultra Bar In Greensboro
Image Credit: (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images) Rappers Freekey Zekey (Ezekiel Giles) and Cam’ron (Cameron Giles) of Dipset in Greensboro, North Carolina on November 25, 2006.
Dipset Hosts Jab’s Ultra Bar In Greensboro
Image Credit: (Photo by Julia Beverly/Getty Images Rapper Freekey Zekey (Ezekiel Giles) of Dipset in Greensboro, North Carolina on November 25, 2006.
2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors
Image Credit: Photo by Curtis Means/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) Rapper Jim Jones and Juelz Santana attend the 2008 VH1 Hip Hop Honors at Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, NY on October 2, 2008.
BET Hip Hop Awards 2010 – Show
Image Credit: (Photo by Taylor Hill/Getty Images) The Diplomats perform during the BET Hip Hop Awards ’10 at Boisfeuillet Jones Atlanta Civic Center on October 2, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia.
BET’s “106 & Park” 10th Anniversary
Image Credit: Taylor Hill/FilmMagic) Dipset attends BET’s 106 & Park 10 year anniversary at BET Studios on October 6, 2010 in New York City.
The Dipset Reunion – November 26, 2010
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (L-R) Freekey Zekey, Jim Jones, Cam’ron and Juelz Santana of Dipset perform during The Dipset Reunion at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 26, 2010 in New York City.
The Dipset Reunion
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones, Cam’ron and Juelz Santana of Dipset perform during The Dipset Reunion at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 26, 2010 in New York City.
The Dipset Reunion
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (L-R) Jim Jones and Cam’ron perform during The Dipset Reunion at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 26, 2010 in New York City.
The Dipset Reunion
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Juelz Santana, Jim Jones and Freekey Zekey perform during The Dipset Reunion at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 26, 2010 in New York City.
The Dipset Reunion
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (L-R) Cam’ron, Freekey Zekey, Juelz Santana and Jim Jones of Dipset perform during THe Dipset Reunion at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 26, 2010 in New York City.
Dipset Reunion
Image Credit: (Photo by Prince Williams/FilmMagic) Freeky Zeeky, Chubbie Baby, Juelz Santana, Camron and Jim Jones attend the Dipset Reunion at Compound on November 9, 2013 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dipset Official Reunion
Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage) Juelz Santana and Jim Jones of the group ‘The Diplomats’ attend the Dipset Reunion at Compound on March 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Dipset Official Reunion
Image Credit: Prince Williams/WireImage) Freekey Zekey, Juelz Santana, Cam’ron, Alex Gidewon and Jim Jones of the group ‘The Diplomats’ attend the Dipset Official reunion at Compound on March 28, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia.
Spotify’s RapCaviar Live in New York
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/Getty Images for Spotify) Cam’ron and Jim Jones perform at Spotify’s RapCaviar Live in New York at Hammerstein Ballroom on November 21, 2017 in New York City.
Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset
Image Credit: (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron (L) and Jim Jones at Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset at Madison Square Garden on August 03, 2021 in New York City.
Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Cam’ron
Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) (L-R) Cam’ron, Jim Jones, and Juelz Santana of Dipset.
Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Juelz Santana.
Verzuz: The Lox Vs Dipset
Image Credit: Johnny Nunez/WireImage) Jim Jones.
Drake Live From The Apollo Theater For SiriusXM And Sound 42
Image Credit: (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for SiriusXM) (L-R) Juelz Santana, Freekey Zekey, Cam’ron, and Jim Jones of Dipset aka The Diplomats perform on stage during Drake Live From The Apollo Theater for SiriusXM and Sound 42 at The Apollo Theater on January 22, 2023 in New York City.
Jessica Bennett
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