Jim Jones and Juelz Santana

Prior to the formation of the Diplomats and the Diplomats label, for which Jones is arguably best known, the Harlem native performed as the hype man for friend and rapper Cam’ron. Following Cam’ron’s solo success, the Diplomats label was created and the group were afforded the luxury creative freedom, with which Jones released his debut solo album “On My Way to Church” in August 2004. Debuting at No. 18 on the Billboard 200, the album earned positive reviews aided by the singles “Certified Gangstas” and “Crunk Muzik”. Released on the Diplomats label in association with Koch Records, the record features Cam’ron, Juelz Santana, and Bun B.

The rapper’s sophomore album “Diary of a Summer” arrived in August 2005 once again under Diplomats and Koch labels. Proving more popular among critics, the record peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard 200, led by the un-charting single “Baby Girl”. Taking his music in a more commercial direction, Jones’ third full-length “Hustler’s P.O.M.E (Product of My Environment)” features a guest appearance from Lil Wayne. Spawning his biggest single to date “We Fly High”, complete with signature dance moves, the album peaked at No. 6 on the Billboard 200. Following the release Jones collaborated with the hip-hop group ByrdGang on the album “M.O.B.: The Album”, which reached No. 19 on the Billboard 200, and issued the No. 19 charting mixtape “Harlem’s American Gangster” in 2008. The rapper has also released a pair of Christmas albums “A Dipset X-Mas” and “A Tribute To Bad Santa Starring Mike Epps” highlighting his versatility.

Jim Jones’ major-label debut was the 2009 album “Pray IV Reign”, which peaked at No. 9 on the Billboard 200. Released on Columbia Records, the album spawned the singles “Pop Champagne”, “Na Na Nana Na Na”, and “Precious”, as well as featuring the likes of Twista, Lil Wayne and NOE. A collaborative album alongside fellow Harlem rapper DJ Webster appeared in October 2009, after which the rapper left Columbia for E1 Records and issued the mixtape “The Ghost of Rich Porter” in March 2010. Alongside Damon Dash Jones formed the label imprint Splash Records later in 2010, and issued his fifth studio album “Capo” in April 2011.

Born to an African-American mother and a Dominican father in Manhattan, New York, LaRon James was rapping by the time he was five years old and by the time he was 12, he had signed to Priority Records as a member of the duo Draft Pick. So it’s fair to say that the man who would become Juelz Santana is a prodigy to say the very least, and he would not go unnoticed by his peers for long. In 2000, when Santana was 18, he guested on a track for fellow East Coast rapper Cam’ron’s album “S.D.E”. Killa Cam was so impressed with the teenager that he drafted him into his group The Diplomats very soon after their first recording session together, and the group signed to Jay Z’s Roc-a-Fella records in 2002.

After featuring on a number of Diplomats tracks, along with Cam’ron’s smash hit solo singles “Oh Boy” and “Hey Ma”, Santana began work on his debut solo album at the start of 2003. “From Me To U”, his debut record, was released in the summer of that year and was a huge success right off the bat, peaking at number 8 on the Billboard 200. 2005 was even kinder to Santana, as his second solo album “What The Game’s Been Missing!” and its lead single “There It Go” were certified Gold mere months after their release, with the single in particular hurtling into the Billboard Hot 100 at number six. Ever since then, Santana has remained one of the most acclaimed and respected rappers of his generation, with an unparalleled run of mixtapes to his name and the respect of everyone from Lil Wayne to Funkmaster Flex. For that, he comes highly recommended.